Malawi: MISA Malawi Statement on World Press Freedom Day

May 3, 2010: Today is World Press Freedom Day, the day that was set aside by the United Nations to offer an opportunity for nations and states to reflect on the role the media plays in social and economic development and building of societies. It also offers an opportunity for soul-searching and brainstorming on progress and challenges faced by journalists in the course of their work.

In Malawi this year, journalists started commemorating the day through a series of activities arranged by the Media Institute of Southern Africa Malawi Chapter in collaboration with other partners.

The activities started with a freedom march and public debate held on April 24, 2010 in Mzuzu organized in conjunction with Nyika Press Club. In Lilongwe similar activities took place on May 1. As we reach the climax of the celebrations today with a march, public debate, donation to a hospital and giving of awards to journalists and media houses that have performed well in the past year.

As the rest of the world is celebrating the day under the theme, “Freedom of Information; the Right to Know”, MISA Malawi would like to bring to the attention of all stakeholders the situation of media freedom in the country.

While there have been notable achievements and demonstration of commitment to the support of media freedom by government and its agencies, there have also been worrisome trends that threaten media freedom.

Government has on several occasions made pronouncements of its commitment to media freedom. Recently the State House published a statement whereby it proclaimed that the State President, Dr Bingu wa Mutharika is committed to supporting freedom of expression and press freedom as enshrined under sections 35 and 36 of the Constitution respectively.

There has also been a growth in the number of publications with the coming in of Malawi Mail published by the Ministry of Information, the first-ever afternoon leisure and entertainment newspaper, The Weekend Times and the first Tumbuka and Chewa free development newspaper, Fuko from Nation Publications Limited.

Government has also boasted of having no political prisoner or journalist jailed for practising their job, MISA Malawi notices that there have been other alternatives other than arrests, which government has used within the year to harass journalists and media houses deemed to be critical of the state. There have been instances whereby journalists have been barred from public functions because by virtue of being employees of certain media houses perceived to be “enemies” of the state. It should be reiterated that the level of maturity of our democracy will be measured by the freedom exercised by the press. If there are developments impinging on media freedom, the benefits of the hard-won democratic freedoms will be easily eroded. We need to jealously guard our democracy.

Recently there has been a sanction whereby government departments have been ordered not to advertise with The Nation Newspapers under the guise of cost cutting. Our contention is that, while government might be honest in its argument, it was flawed to issue a ban against a particular newspaper. As a cost-cutting measure, it will definitely be in the interest of the government to advertise in the medium that reaches to the largest or biggest audience. That means a decision on which medium to advertise on should be based on market share and reach, other than a blatant sanction. In our view this is a violation of media freedom and freedom of expression as the rationale behind is perceived to be a move to choke the publication and take it out of the market. Definitely a government that preaches upholding of media freedom will not want to be identified with this.

There was also a well-known case whereby Joy Radio was closed for several weeks and two of its presenters, O’brien Nazombe and Mary Chande-Mhone arrested. After a due process of law they were acquitted of the offence of campaigning outside the stipulated electoral period for campaign. This is also a violation of media freedom as the two were made to spend a night in police custody.

As we celebrate World Press Freedom Day we would urge government and its agencies to desist from “silent violations” of media freedom like barring journalists from functions. This denies their audience an opportunity to be updated on what government is doing.

- May 03, 2010 by Brian Ligomeka, MISA Malawi Chairperson
.................

Source: www.misa.org (received via Email Alert on 05.05.2010)