Malawi using Globe, Zain to block website

Mutharika: Demands Internet restrictions in Malawi

Malawi government is using Globe  and Zain Internet service providers to block access to its URL in the country,Nyasa Times has established.

A statement issued by Managing Director Edgar Msowoya said Internet access to the website, www.nyasatimes.com, “is being blocked” by Globe, the Internet backbone provider for Malawi government. Zain, formerly Celtel is also part of the scheme.

But Minister for Information and Civic Education, Patricia Kaliati expressed her ignorance about the development when asked to comment about the denial of access to the website mostly from government departments.

Similarly, when Kaliati was asked to comment on report that the site had been blocked on the direction of the government, she gave a flimsy denial.Government was also ordering internet service providers to block access to internet websites such as popular discussion forum, Nyasanet.

Government insiders said Security Intelligence Service (SIS) led by Brigadier Reuben Ngwenya has been given strict instructions by President Bingu wa Mutharika to ensure restrictions on access to the Internet.

The security intelligence officers have been assigned in monitoring e-mail and Internet chat rooms with help by Globe internet experts.

Nyasa Times statement warned Internet service providers against being used by government blocking the online publication threatening that it can retaliate.

“We have the potential to retaliate and attack their networks,” said Nyasa Times statement.

“We will brutally force Nyasa Times to filter their networks whether that will mean causing problems to their business, we careless,” the statement said.

“They must stop these Chinese draconian tactics otherwise we have the potential to  bypass their firewalls,” said Nyasa Times statement maintaining that it can fight fire against fire in the worse scenario. 

“If need be we will be able to ground their networks to a halt,” said Nyasa Times threatening to launch an internet “Katyusha rocket”.

One of the engineers at Globe Internet said they have been pressured by government for some time to block Nyasa Times.

Meanwhile, Msowoya said Nyasa Times will be creating a dynamic host of IP addresses which will be immune from being blocked by internet service providers.

President Mutharika is said to have been irked following stories Nyasa Times have published exposing him in corrupt deals and about his health problem.

The blocking of the online publication will revive concerns about the country's attitude towards internet censorship and press freedom.

Political analyst Pofela Nyekanyeka regretted the reports of internet restrictions by Mutharika government saying it amounts to “restrictions on academic freedom “.

“The ISPs are better off staying away from these malpractices dictated by government,” said Nyekanyeka.

Malawians access the Internet via a few Internet cafes and offices in the major cities and other individuals have Internet access in their homes.

Under the regime of President Mutharika, Malawians media has suffered great oppression.

Critics of the authorities are systematically pressured into withholding their views, and journalists criticizing the government are often intimidated and harassed.