Police have detained journalist Macmillan Mhone over a story that an online news site Malawi24 published in August 2023.
Mhone, a former Malawi24 journalist now working for Nation Publications Limited, was invited for questioning and was arrested and detained on arrival at Blantyre Police Station in the morning of Monday, April 8, 2024.
The story in question involves businessman Abdul Karim Batatawala and some police sources say Mhone has been charged with “publication of news likely to cause fear or public alarm”.
The lawyer handling the matter Joseph Lihoma hinted on police moving Mhone from Blantyre to Lilongwe for court appearance.
Malawi Police Service Public Relations Officer Peter Kalaya could not be reached for comment.
As MISA we believe that the story in question does not in any way cause fear or public alarm
We therefore demand immediate and unconditional release of Mhone and we believe that arresting and detaining a journalist over a story is a violation of media freedom and the public’s right to know.
Media contacts
MISA Malawi Chairperson Golden Matonga
Cell: +265 99 616 9705 or email goldenmatonga@gmail.com
MISA Malawi National Director Aubrey Chikungwa
Cell: +265 999 327 311 or email info@misamalawi.org
