MISA Malawi and the Media Council of Malawi (MCM) strongly condemn threats and attacks on Times Group Editor-in-Chief George Kasakula and Mibawa Television Presenter and Reporter, Steve Kondwa Banda by individuals who are apparently offended by the journalists’ opinions on Covid-19 risk allowance demands by teachers.
The two journalists are being threatened through phone calls, WhatsApp and Facebook. This is clearly an attack on the media.
We remind those issuing these threats and attacks that sections 34, 35 and 36 of the Republican Constitution guarantee freedom of opinion, freedom of expression and freedom of the press. The threats and attacks on Kasakula and Banda are not only criminal, but a direct attack on media freedom, freedom of expression and freedom of opinion.
We would want to believe that those issuing such attacks are members of the Teachers’ Union of Malawi (TUM). We, therefore, urge the Teachers’ Union of Malawi to tame its members before we are forced to take further action.
We wish to remind TUM and all teachers in Malawi that the media has on innumerable occasions covered stories in the education sector that have positively impacted the teachers’ welfare. It will therefore be shortsightedness to turn the two sides against each other because of some difference in opinion.
We would further like to remind members of the general public that those aggrieved or injured by the media in any way, can report to and engage MCM; the body entrusted with the responsibility of upholding media professionalism in the country, for redress, rather than resorting to criminal ways of demonstrating dissent.
Signed
Teresa Temweka Ndanga Wisdom Chimgwede
Chairperson, MISA Malawi Chairperson, Media Council of Malawi
Media contacts
MISA Malawi Chairperson Teresa Ndanga
Cell: +265 999 247 911 or email teresa.temweka@gmail.com
MISA Malawi National Director Aubrey Chikungwa
Cell: +265 999 327 311 or email info@misamalawi.org
Media Council Chairperson Wisdom Chimgwede
Cell: +265999500700 or email wisdomnelson1@gmail.com
Media Council of Malawi Executive Director Moses Kaufa
Cell: +265 999 55 80 52 or email mokaufa@gmail.com
