As we wind down 2025 and welcome 2026, MISA Malawi expresses gratitude to its membership, sponsors/partners, the government, and all stakeholders for their unwavering support of media freedom, freedom of expression and access to information throughout the year ending.
The achievements we registered in 2025 were possible due to the sustained belief that members have in our ideals, the technical and financial support from our sponsors/partners, the opportunities for engagement that the government provided and the availability of various stakeholders for our activities.
We are, however, at pains to reflect on the year that was hugely dented by people who openly and unashamedly assaulted freedoms of assembly, the press and expression as the government watched and failed to timely bring the perpetrators of various human rights violations to justice.
Positive developments in 2025
- Decriminalization of defamation by the Court
In July, we celebrated a landmark victory for freedom of expression after the High Court of Malawi (sitting as a Constitutional Court) declared section 200 of the Malawi Penal Code, which criminalized defamation, unconstitutional.
The court’s decision stemmed from the case of Joshua Chisa Mbele v The Director of Public Prosecutions & The Attorney General in which Mbele challenged the constitutionality of the now void section. The challenge was made amidst pending criminal proceedings against him for alleged defamatory statements concerning a public official. Mbele had argued that the provision infringed on his right to freedom of expression under section 35 of the Constitution and was inconsistent with Malawi’s obligations under regional and international human rights law.
The court ruling marked a pivotal moment for media freedom and democratic discourse in Malawi. The threat of arrests and imprisonment for alleged defamatory statements had long been a significant barrier to the free flow of information and the holding of public officials accountable.
- Successful media coverage of the 2025 general election
MISA Malawi’s individual and institutional members were at the centre of the 2025 general election information ecosystem. We are proud of journalists and media outlets for covering the elections with zeal and dedication. Thus, they provided accurate and credible information throughout the electoral cycle. However, we also acknowledge that in its election coverage, the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) favoured the then ruling party and failed to be fair to the opposition parties, contrary to the spirit of public service and fairness as promoted by the Communications Act of 2016.
- Hosting of Presidential Debates and launch of iVerify Malawi Fact-Checking initiative
For the third successive general elections in Malawi, MISA Malawi chaired the Presidential Debates Task Force that provided presidential election candidates a platform to present their visions and policies to the electorate. Although the then incumbent president Dr. Lazarus Chakwera and the eventual winner of the election, Professor Peter Mutharika, did not participate in the debates, we are happy that the debates provided the public with an opportunity to hear from the leaders willing to be part of that vital democratic process.
In 2025, MISA Malawi with support from the UNDP also launched iVerify Malawi, a fact-checking system that exposed false information around the 2025 general election and provided accurate and credible information to the voters and the general public.
- The Process of reviewing the Communications Act of 2016 started
The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) started the process of reviewing the Communications Act of 2016 by calling for comments on the review. In its submission, MISA Malawi called for the review of the broadcasting sector licensing framework to ensure that licence fees are pegged to the Malawi Kwacha and not the United States Dollar. MISA Malawi also recommended that the President should not be appointing members of the Boards for both MACRA and MBC to do away with the politics that affect the operations of the two institutions. We look forward to 2026 with the hope that the Communications Act review will be concluded.
Negative developments in 2025
- Panga-wielding men who terrorized the freedoms of assembly and expression
On June 26, a group of panga-wielding people assaulted demonstrators, journalists and other people and burned vehicles in full view of police officers and soldiers. The incident happened around the Lilongwe Community Centre Ground. It was not the first time panga-wielding people attacked demonstrators, as some men also attacked protesting civil servants in the same city. The State’s deliberate procrastination and impunity on panga-wielding groups attacking protesters was not only appalling but contravened the Republican Constitution, which guarantees the right to assembly and emphasizes the State’s obligation to protect its citizens. Although after the September 16 general election and the change of leadership, the police arrested the suspected perpetrators, it was disappointing to see the Malawi Police Service (MPS) blatantly failing to decisively stop the violent groups by simply enforcing the law.
- Attacks on journalists by political party zealots and others
In the year 2025, journalists were also attacked by political party zealots and other people in the line of duty, but no person was arrested or prosecuted for their attacks on journalists. So, the culture of impunity for crimes against journalists continued in the year. MISA Malawi documented over 10 cases of attacks on journalists and the cases include the following:
- On Wednesday, July 30, 2025, some MCP supporters intimidated and interrupted journalists who asked Dr. Chakwera questions during the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) sanctioned press briefing in the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) Auditorium. One of the journalists, Robert Edward of Luntha Television, had to be whisked away by a well-wisher as the intimidating supporters followed him. This was happening while Dr. Chakwera was still responding to questions.
- On July 25, some Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) followers disturbed live coverage of the party’s presidential candidate, Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika election nomination papers presentation at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe. The party 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.
- On October 10, 2025, a group of men suspected to be the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) sympathizers stormed the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) Kwacha premises in Blantyre, forced MBC Director General George Kasakula to a live on-air apology to President Peter Mutharika and the DPP before manhandling him out of the premises.
- In October, we recorded cases of online harassment, bullying, and intimidation directed at journalists in the country. These deplorable acts included attacks targeting journalists Cathy Maulidi, Wonder Msiska and the Times Group.
- On December 15, 2025, some Malawi Congress Party (MCP) supporters attacked journalists covering the court appearance of the party Secretary General, Hon. Richard Chimwendo Banda, 2025 presidential election running mate Hon. Vitumbiko Mumba and the party spokesperson, Dr. Jessie Kabwila. On that day, Zodiak Broadcasting Station (ZBS) reporter Kenphord Mdima and cameraperson Aubrey Kuyere were physically attacked while livestreaming the arrival of the arrested party leaders at the court. They had to cut the live coverage and rush into the courtroom for their safety. TV Islam journalist Aspolo Mousah was also physically attacked and forced to delete footage and pictures he had captured.
Recommendations for 2026
- The government should decisively end impunity for crimes against journalists and human rights defenders by timely concluding the ongoing court cases against the suspected panga-wielding men who violated the right to assemble and freedom of expression.
- The Republican Constitution guarantees freedoms of opinion, expression, the press, information and assembly and any other individual who violates such freedoms for political, business, or personal gains should be punished
- The government should conclude the process of reviewing the Communications Act of 2016 to ensure the absolute independence of MACRA and MBC and a broadcasting licence framework capable of sustaining the operations of the broadcasters.
- The Malawi Congress Party and the Democratic Progressive Party should establish means of controlling their supporters by ensuring that they understand that the right to assemble, freedom of expression and media freedom are fundamental freedoms that must be respected at all times in a multiparty democracy.
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
