MISA Malawi condemns intimidation of journalists at Chakwera nomination Briefing
The Malawi chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) has strongly condemned the intimidation and heckling of journalists by some supporters of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) during a press briefing by presidential candidate Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera.
A similar scenario played out last week during the nomination presentation of Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Peter Mutharika, where some party officials blocked journalists and seized media equipment, claiming it was “disturbing” their party leader.
The MCP incident occurred on Wednesday, July 30, at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe, moments after Chakwera submitted his nomination papers to the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) ahead of the September 16 general elections.
During the MEC-sanctioned press briefing, several MCP supporters aggressively interrupted journalists who posed questions to Chakwera, creating a hostile environment in what was meant to be a formal electoral platform.
One of the journalists, Robert Edward of Luntha Television, was reportedly followed and intimidated by some supporters and had to be escorted out of the auditorium by a well-wisher for his safety, while Chakwera was still responding to questions.
MISA Malawi, through a statement issued Thursday, described the acts as “unfortunate in a democracy” and said such behaviour silences media voices and undermines the public’s right to transparent and accountable political engagement.
“Acts of intimidation and heckling of journalists are unfortunate in a democracy, and we believe they prevent journalists from expressing themselves freely and asking relevant, accountable questions.
“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,” stated MISA Malawi Chairperson Golden Matonga.
MISA has since called on the leadership of the MCP, along with all other political parties and independent candidates, to hold their supporters accountable for such “barbaric behaviour.”
