Journalists free to snap photos without cops permission – Malawi Police

Malawi Police Service (MPS) National Headquarters says journalists are free to take pictures of any dramatic scenes during police operations without seeking permission from the police officers on site.

Kachama: Snap freely
Kachama: Snap freely

MPS Deputy Inspector General (DIG) – Administration, Lexten Kachama, said this Tuesday at the Police Headquarters in Area 30, Lilongwe, during a special interface between the law enforcing agency and the media.

Kachama said it was the duty of every officer in the service to ensure that they discharged their duties professionally and that no reporter is stopped from taking pictures at a public scene.

“An officer who is working professionally would not have any problem with a journalist taking his or her picture,” said Kachama. “For those who are unprofessional in their conduct, the pictures will expose their brutality to the public and they will be dealt with accordingly.”

However, the DIG said presidential functions were exceptional and that for a journalist to take pictures he or she has to be granted permission first, for security reasons.

Earlier during the meeting, DIG for operations, Rodney Jose, said the IG of Malawi Police, Paul Kanyama, and the entire service regretted the recent beating up of Blantyre Newspapers Limited (BNL) journalist, Archibald Kasakula, by a police officer in Blantyre for taking pictures during a street sweeping exercise.

Jose said the police officer’s conduct was uncalled for in the police service and he apologized to the media fraternity for what happened.

“We condemn the brutal and unprofessional conduct that this police officer displayed and as police service, we do not condone the treatment that Kasakula received,” explained the DIG of Operations.

The BNL journalist was beaten up when he tried to take pictures of the Blantyre City Council official accompanied by police officers allegedly beat a female vendor selling her merchandise in the street.

The Tuesday police/media interface meeting brought together reporters from various media institutions in the country and police Public Relations Officers from different police stations.

The two sides exchanged experiences and challenges they face in the course of exchanging information and how best they can work together as partners and not as enemies.--Mana

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Richard Lozi
Richard Lozi
9 years ago

Izo ndizo za nzeru a DIG.Osadziwa ntchito ziwapweteka koopsa.

Celeb wa ku mwanza
9 years ago

Imeneyo ndiye ndi ndewu mukuiputayo. We will see

acn
acn
9 years ago

I will capture some of them taking local beer(masacheti) whilst in uniform

padoko
padoko
9 years ago

Sweet to the ear! Mwamvatu mbava zinanu amene mukuwonongetsa mbiri ya police. Munalowera kuba. Shoot to kill kapena burn burn burn!!

Zidura Ntengo Undigwere
Zidura Ntengo Undigwere
9 years ago

This attitude certainly reflects the change in leadership in the MPS. They do not need an epochal change – that was effected when we overwhelmingly rejected The Dictatorship. Now, incremental change will suffice. The new IG and his deputy are definitely a refreshing and welcome change.

Prophet
Prophet
9 years ago

Pasavute atolankhani muzibwera mumastation muzizajambula.Welcome indeed this is a Modern Kachamalised and Kanyamalisation Police.Ma SSO anasintha awa.

mapwesea
mapwesea
9 years ago

Iwe Kau lip service ya ambwiyako,mmaso mothinamo

kambwali
kambwali
9 years ago

Komanso akumakaniza ma hug kwa atsikana oti ali mu uniform . Monga wapolisi tisamu hage chifukwa ali mu uniform

Phiri phiri
Phiri phiri
9 years ago

Those pple must have identities like w@ we see @ BBC, Press or Aljazelar. They always put on identity jackets but here in malawi there very rude without identitie. Some pple they just snap 4 funny. Or eithr postin u on face book ndimawu onyoza…..

Nanyerho Dungu
9 years ago

Tiwajambula akamalandira ziphuphu pa mseu. Tidziwapanganso record.

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