Media grouping condemns arrest of student who criticized Mutharika

The Malawi Chapter of the Media Institute of Sourthen Africa(MISA) has expressed dismay with the arrest of a 19 year old Patrick Semu a student at Daeyang Luke University for critising President Peter Mutharika.

In a press release signed by chair person for the body Thom Khanje, the body expressed distress over the glowing intolerance of free speech in the country.

The media body has called upon the government to stay out of the developments that tarnishing the image of his government.

MISA states that it understands that the 19 year old spent 36 hours in police custody and it has condemned what the police has done.

However it further said that in 2016 another similar incident occurred where by Alinafe Paulo aged 60 from T/A Nsamala in Balaka district was sentenced to three months imprisonment with hard labor or 3,000 kwacha for allegedly insulting the president.

The statement further said that MISA aims at defending media freedom and the rights of every citizen and Misa see the arrests as a threat to democracy.

It further indicated that section 35 of the Malawi constitution gives everyone the right to freedom of expression and people should not be arrested for exercising their constitutional right.

According to the statement criticism lead to a health government and MISA expects the Democratic Progressive Party regime to be progressive and tolerant found on pillars of democratic principles.

The media body has therefore asked government to respect principles of democracy and respect human rights including right to free speech.