As the world commemorates the 2025 International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists (IDEI), MISA Malawi calls on the police and other relevant state institutions to demonstrate commitment in dealing with crimes against journalists.
The Police should investigate and prosecute cases of attacks on journalists in Malawi.
Globally, 2025 IDEI is being commemorated under the theme, Chat GBV: Raising Awareness on AI-facilitated Gender-Based Violence against Women Journalists. The theme highlights the threats women journalists face in the digital space and the chilling effect this can have on freedom of expression more broadly.
The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 2 November as the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, urging member states to implement definite measures countering the prevalent culture of impunity.
While MISA Malawi acknowledges the recent arrest of Yona Malunga and Stone Mwamadi for being suspected of storming the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) Kwacha studios in Blantyre and manhandling the suspended MBC Director General George Kasakula, we are worried that the case has not yet gone to court for prosecution.
MISA Malawi is also aware that police arrested 12 people in connection with the attacks on human rights activist Sylvester Namiwa and other demonstrators in Lilongwe in June this year. We are interested in witnessing the logical conclusion of the cases against these suspects, as some journalists were also assaulted and forced to delete pictures during those attacks.
The Police did not act on threats on journalists Gregory Gondwe and Cathy Maulidi; attacks on journalists during the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) conventions and presentation of nomination papers by candidates from the two parties; attacks on journalists at Bingu National, Kamuzu and Dedza Stadia and the arbitrary detention of journalists Macmillan Mhone and Isaac Salima never received the state’s attention.
Apart from the examples above, we have several instances of attacks against journalists that haven’t been prosecuted or investigated. Over the years, MISA Malawi has been recording many crimes against journalists, but the state machinery has not shown any zeal to prosecute or investigate the cases, leaving perpetrators scot-free and indirectly promoting impunity.
We urge the police to be more proactive and prosecute cases of crimes against journalists, including those perpetrated by politically connected individuals, without any fear or favour. As a law enforcement agency, police must always enforce the law regardless of the position and status of those involved.
As the world becomes more digital and Artificial Intelligence (AI) is part of life, the theme for this year’s IDEI is a reminder that the attacks on journalists are also becoming digital. Comparatively, female journalists are more vulnerable to online attacks thereby affecting their performance as journalists. MISA Malawi urges the government, development partners, and other stakeholders to join efforts in addressing these online threats and attacks on women journalists and all journalists. For us to ensure safer online and physical spaces for journalists, we need collective advocacy and democratically agreed policy action.
It is high time state agencies such as the Malawi Police Service demonstrated commitment to protect journalists, and media freedom as provided for in the Republican Constitution, which also guarantees freedom of expression (Section 35), and right to information (Section 37).
Ending impunity for crimes against journalists demands interest and zeal to see to it that those who commit such crimes are prosecuted and justice is timely and rightly served.
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
