MISA Malawi strongly condemns the disruption of live media coverage during the time the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika was presenting his nomination papers at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe.
On Friday, July 25, 2025, some DPP followers who accompanied Professor Mutharika to the ceremony caused a commotion and disrupted the live media coverage of the event by blocking the cameras and grabbing the broadcasting equipment, among other actions.
One of the party followers, Sameer Suleman, aggressively seized the tripod and lighting equipment belonging to the Nation Publications Limited (NPL), claiming the equipment was ‘disturbing’ the party leader.
The disruption forced journalists on duty to abruptly stop the live coverage of the event and focus on their safety and protecting the broadcasting equipment from possible damage.
MISA Malawi believes the behaviour is a violation of media freedom and the right of the people, especially the electorate, to access accurate and credible information on the goings-on in the run-up to the September 16 general elections.
We would like to ask the leadership of the DPP, all political parties, and independent candidates contesting in the election to hold their supporters accountable for any barbaric behaviours, such as the unnecessary commotion at BICC. Apart from violating fundamental freedoms of journalists and the general public, such behaviours tarnish the image of the parties involved.
MISA Malawi urges all political party leaders and supporters to ensure that journalists are free to cover all electoral activities in safe and secure spaces during and beyond the current electoral cycle. Journalism is not a crime.
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
