Journalists backed for grilling Bingu

The President meets the press again Friday.

Namisa chairperson Martines Naminga told Capital FM radio that there was a need to seize every available opportunity during news conferences with the Head of State to ask critical issues.

Mutharika, who fumed at journalists when they asked him questions not relevant to his visit to China on his return on Monday evening, promised to hold a "general press conference" to answer a wide range of question from newspersons.

Meanwhile, the State House Press Office says Mutharika will hold the news conference today at the New State House in Lilongwe.

Mutharika was irked when reporters asked a wide variety of questions, which included questions on his health, as he is a subject of prostrate cancer.

They also asked the President on the maize shortage in the country, poor MSCE results, his government's failure to settle the issue of university lecturers' salaries, opening of Parliament, the 2009 general elections and child labour.

The President angrily refused to provide answers to the questions, promising to hold a general press conference later.

"Next time, I will hold a general press conference and give you time to consult John Tembo and Bakili Muluzi so that you should ask me questions on their behalf," said Mutharika who never fails to show his paranoia over Muluzi and Tembo.

It remains to be seen if Mutharika will summon the courage to discuss his health at today's news conference.