Government officials join Malawi scribes in Press Day march

Dausi: Photo happy during march

SCORES of Malawian journalists Saturday joined the rest of the world in commemorating the World Press Freedom Day with a call to government to stop harassing and intimidating them as they practice their profession.

The commemoration started with a peaceful march from Blantyre's Old Town Hall (near New Government Regional Offices) to Civic Centre offices via Victoria Avenue and Masauko Chipembere Highway.

The members of the fourth estate, who came from across the country, particularly the three major cities of Blantyre, Lilongwe and Mzuzu, jigged and chanted throughout the 85 minute-lively and peaceful march to the delight of motorists and pedestrians.

Nicholas Dausi, Presidential Advisor on National Unity and Publicity Secretary of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), whose administration continues to threaten press freedom with unnecessary arrests of journalists was among the marchers from start to finish.  

Interestingly, he fell in love with one placard that read "Spokesperson of policy and not propaganda" as he carried for most part of the march while posing for pictures and displaying to onlookers.

Presidential Press Officer Chikumbutso Mtumodzi regarded as a bandit against journalists was another government official who took part in the march. 

Deputy Minister of Information and Civic Education John Bande joined at the Chichiri Shopping Mall and briefly addressed the gathering upon arrival at the Civic Centre, where a lively debate was also conducted under the theme 'the role of the media in a free and fair election'.

Journalists observed during the debate that it was high time they put a halt to being used by politicians in order to advance their agendas.

They also called for their unconditional freedom while urging government to stop harassing and intimidating them by way of unnecessary arrests.

"Freedom starts from the inner self…. It is time we go for soul searching within ourselves because journalism is a package with a lot of items in it that include money and ethics so let us avoid being used as we approach the general elections," said Benson Nkhoma-Somba, managing director of Galaxy Media.

One of the panellists, Grey Mang'anda, who is Dean of media studies at the Polytechnic called on the National Media Institute of Southern Africa (NAMISA) and the Media Council of Malawi to ensure that the public media-TVM and MBC- represent the genuine principles of journalism.

"May I appeal to NAMISA and Media Council to make sure that our public media represent the ideals of our profession. We know there are very serious and professional people there but their hands are tied up," said Mang'anda. "The performance of MBC and TVM is affecting all of us."

In his brief talk to the scribes outside the Civic Centre, Bande said government regards journalists as partners in development and will always ensure that they are protected and work in a free environment.

He also urged them against being used by political leaders so as not to compromise their professional independence. 

Later, as part of the commemoration of the day, the journalists proceeded to Queen Elizabeth Hospital where they cheered the sick and presented assorted items such as blankets and Likuni Phala flour to patients worth about K1.5 million.

The last item on the menu is a gala night at the Mount Soche Hotel where exceptional journalistic works will be recognized with various awards.

Prior to the day, Namisa called on government to remove unnecessary restrictions on journalists as they carry their day to day responsibilities.

World Press Freedom Day was designated by the United Nations to raise awareness on the importance of freedom of the press and to remind governments to respect and uphold the right of freedom of expression as enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Rights.

Global events marking this year's World Press Freedom Day spotlighted repression against independent journalists and murders of journalists.

The Day reminded the world that 171 journalists were killed in 2007 while pursuing their work and thousands more threatened, imprisoned or tortured, according to the United Nations.

The U.N. General Assembly in 1993 established each May 3 as the commemorative day for press freedom.