Misa-Malawi condemns ‘press rallies’
The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Malawi chapter has condemned a tendency by political leaders of turning press briefings into political rallies; a day after UTM president Saulos Chilima held a presser in the presses of party supporters in Lilongwe.
Through a statement released on Thursday, MISA Malawi Chairperson Teresa Ndanga said in as far as they appreciate the openness that several political parties have shown by being proactive in the provision of information, the tendency of having political supporters attending press briefings create a hostile environment to journalists.
“Holding press conferences in the presence of party supporters which create a hostile environment such that oftentimes journalists are forced to self-censor and limit themselves to asking softer questions. Memories are still fresh of the persecution that journalists who brave such hostile environments have gone through. Press conferences should be limited to relevant technocrats or officials and people directly responsible for the presser,” Said Ndanga while commending those political leaders who have been open to the media by among others calling for press conferences.
The body has threatened to advise its membership to boycott such press briefings because “a guaranteed free environment for the practice of journalism is one of our critical function areas” to ensure the safety of journalists.
Added Ndanga, “We would also like to encourage journalists to maintain the zeal and passion for the profession so as to provide Malawians with information that would help them make informed decisions during the May elections.”
She also noted that the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and main opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) have also not taken heed of the body’s calls to keep to the confines of a press briefing.
The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Malawi chapter was founded in 1996. Its work focuses on promoting, and advocating for, the unhindered enjoyment of freedom of expression, access to information and a free, independent, diverse and pluralistic mediaà
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You have chosen to remain quiet about ATI act even when it has been now two years after it was passed. The government has been dilly dallying all these two years acting deceiptive. Many of the headline news we have has last year were as a result of galant insiders who risked their jobs while whistle-blowing the issues.You can’t even go to court to force the govt to implement ATI. You were vocal before it was passed. Good.
ANC, EFF DA has supporters at their press briefings why not UTM. Why not DPP or MCP, it is pure and simple when a journalist thinks his or her life may be in danger, do not go there.
kkkkkkk fucking idiot. Is ANC, EFF, DA in Malawi? Dude don’t show your stupidity here. SA and Malawi have different constitution. Let’s talk Malawi here.
Congratulations Tereza for taking this bold step! I personally was going to be surprised if you decided not to do it. I was equally worried that the leader and party that is promising transformation and claims that “transformation” is the core center of his/its political conduct, was caught in this serious mistake in as far as principles of media freedom and freedom of expression are concerned. Like I said before, UTM does not only need marketers but communication and media experts too. I am aware, however, that it will take us long before we as a people, fully appreciate the… Read more »
The only clean man is President Ras Chikomeni
MCP does not call supporters to attend and cheer press conferences. We have never done that in MCP and our leader demonstrate that he is real gentle in as far as press conference is concerned.
Inu MISA kuno Kumupoto yimaveka ndi MBC ndi TVM yimene ambiri sitimayikonda kumvesela ndi wonela, koma Zodiac ndi Times TV zithuzi ziwoneka mawu sakumveka. Mawayalesi sakuvekaso. A miss mutifuzleko Ku macra mwina akusokonela dala. Iyi tnchito muzigwila a misa
How come you never said this about other political parties????………. akutumani???
You so called chairperson if you have nothing to offer to the nation just keep quiet and stay at your home. You are stupid. Akutumawo akupwetekesa
Because no Party, other than UTM, does that. Simply put.
Can a political party leader conduct a presser without his/her supporters?, search me because I doubt. MISA Chair, why condemn it now when this has been happening all along? You can also channel this beautiful advice to DPP and MCP if at all they will listen to your tune? Emulate CNN, TRT, RT MSNBC among others. I adore these powerful press houses.
Wow! Wow! Wow! Teresa Ndanga. Let me quote one of your statement “ We would like to encourage journalists to maintain the zeal and passion for the profession so as to provide Malawians with information that will help them to informed decisions during the May elections “ I totally agree with you as a reader of the e-newspaper, sometimes am baffled by the way other reporters write and I ask myself if they have zeal and passion for the job. Poor quality, no proper investigation… Let the reporters give quality news. Quality is not only in products but everything we… Read more »
Teresa ndanga is husband to young democrat who is a DPP sympathiser. Kumva pain ndi UTM. Mmimba chuuuuu
Very true It was a shock that press conference had UTM supporters.Aphunzitseni kuti press conference ndi rally they are two different things.Bravo MISA