MISA Malawi would like to urge politicians and their supporters to stop threatening, harassing and demonizing journalists in an attempt to silence and discredit their work.
In the latest incident, Times Group reporter Cathy Maulidi received WhatsApp threats from strange numbers over a story on what Minister of Tourism Vera Kamtukule said in Parliament. We have also noted social media trolls against Maulidi over the same story.
Threats, harassment and online trolls targeted at journalists for merely doing their job are attacks on press freedom and promote self-censorship in journalists and media outlets. These attacks can easily be construed as deliberate attempts to silence critics and stifle media freedom and freedom of expression.
MISA Malawi believes in media accountability and professionalism but threats and harassment of journalists, online or offline, are not in any way acceptable means of ensuring media accountability and professionalism.
We have a well-established media self-regulation mechanism under the Media Council of Malawi (MCM) and the Council is always open to handle complaints from all those who feel injured by the media.
We would like to urge politicians, their supporters and all members of the public to follow due process when they feel wronged by the media rather than taking things in their own hands by engaging in threats, harassment and even physical attacks.
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
