Home 9 Media violations 9 Wanderers FC supporters assault reporter Yasin Limu, damage equipment

Wanderers FC supporters assault reporter Yasin Limu, damage equipment

Stop attacks on journalists
8 Apr, 2024
Football authorities must take decisive action against barbarism at football matches

MISA Malawi strongly condemns the assault of Television Islam reporter Yasin Limu by three Mighty Mukuru Wanderers Football Club supporters.

The incident happened few minutes into a Super League of Malawi (SULOM) game between Wanderers FC and Kamuzu Barracks Football Club at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre on Sunday, April 7, 2024.

In the assault, a TV Islam camera tripod and Limu’s wrist watch were damaged.

The assault happened when the supporters were chasing sports reporters out of an area normally reserved for the media covering games at the stadium.

Two of the three supporters who assaulted Limu and damaged the items have been identified as Dolf and Harry.

Barbaric acts against journalists in their line of duty should not be tolerated. What the three supporters did is a violation of media freedom and the right to access information, fundamental rights enshrined in the Malawi Constitution.

We demand disciplinary action on the supporters by the club. The Malawi Police should also investigate, arrest and prosecute the assailants.

This is not the first time that supporters of a Super League club have assaulted a journalist. In 2023, Silver Strikers supporters also assaulted Smart Chalika of Kasupe Radio and the trend has a chilling effect on sports journalists.

Football is a beautiful game that the media has covered for many years and acts of barbarism that threaten the lives of reporters and football lovers need to be flushed out.

MISA Malawi would like to ask football authorities in Malawi including Football Association of Malawi (FAM), SULOM and club administrators to take decisive action against individuals who are creating an environment of fear and intimidation for sports reporters and bringing the game into disrepute.

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  

 

 

About MISA

The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) was founded in 1992. Its work focuses on promoting, and advocating for, the unhindered enjoyment of freedom of expression, access to information and a free, independent, diverse and pluralistic media.

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