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 concept of “democracy” as it is practiced in Western countries where matured democracies as generally located. We are just 25 years into the game and many of us still have a long way to go before we fully understand how “democratic” societies are supposed to function.
Let me remind us that there are three arms of government namely: the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary. These three are supposed to ensure that there are checks and balances when transacting government business. However, democratic governments and citizens in general have, over the years, realized that these three are not adequate in ensuring order and transparency. They have, instead, relied on the media to know what exactly is happening in hidden corridors power. It is the media that lays bear the malpractice and misrule in a given government. This is why the media is has been termed the 4th arm of government. This status stems from the fact that citizens will not know secret dealings in the three arms of government until journalists bring that rot to the surface for everyone to see. It is for this reason that the media is supposed to be left free from any form of intimidation what-so-ever.
This means that media freedom is of great benefit to both the rulers and to the ruled. Creating an enabling environment for the media to operate freely is, therefore, critical for true democracy to emerge in any society. What journalists write or publish helps the electorate to make an informed opinion on matters that affect them.
It is for this reason that “press rallies” are uncalled for in a democratic society. The presence of party supporters and party zealots in any press fora creates an intimidating environment for journalists. They are usually forced to self-censoring or limiting the number of questions to be asked. The may even be forced to completely stay quiet for fear of reprisals from overzealous supporters who usually are not fully conversant with issues being discussed during press conferences. And, when such things happen, it is the citizenry that suffers because questions the journalist wanted to ask on their behalf have been muted by the hostile environment. It is for this reason that UTM and indeed any other political grouping must avoid the practice of inviting supporters to such important occasions. Journalists need quality space to ask questions that on behalf of citizens. Any question.
I am aware, however, that party supporters in our democracy use each encounter with a party leader as an opportunity to demonstrate solidarity to them or to receive a little something to keep their bodies and souls together for the next few days. Politicians, on the other hand, want to exploit such encounters with their supporters as an opportunity to demonstrate their “love” by sharing a kwacha or two in an effort to strengthen their grip on power. But may the most sad thing about it all is that Malawians in our towns and villages have, over the past 25 years, been reduced to idlers who have nothing to do to earn a living. They also don’t have adequate forms of entertainment to keep them happy when free from work. Attending political functions is, therefore, becoming both an income generating activity and a form of entertainment. It is for this reason that dealing with these problems will not be easy. But, parties leaders and society in general need to recognize this matter as a challenge that needs to be sorted out the soonest. We also need to solve the problems of idleness that emanates from high unemployment levels that have been worsened by the death of agriculture in the country.
But, like Teresa puts it, lets all recognize that it is anathema for party supporters to attend a press conference. UTM should be the party to practice this. Being a party of “transformational” leaders (as they claim to be) doing this only proves to the world that “the more things change the more they remain the same” is, in fact, true. Press conferences should just be attended by the main speaker and a few party officials or technocrats who have a direct interest in what is being discussed. “Press rallies”, contradict media ethics and freedom of the press.
Right Hon. Chilima did not need all those supporters including drum beaters in an activity that was only meant to condemn political violence. It is ok to invite supporters and drum beaters when he is addressing a political rally. I am aware too that Hon. Chilima has publicly said that he does not want dancers during his functions. So, where did all this come from? By allowing this, is he painting a good picture about himself as we approach May 21 elections? Search me. He, and the entire UTM, can do better. We need respect for and protection of our journalists. So, I congratulate Tereza Ndanga for this bold statement.
I rest my case.
Kent Y.G. Mphepo – Blantyre
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 do to attract the readers. Maintaining professionalism will help Malawians to make better choices as well as build a good relationship with its readers. Please please train them more. I know some are corrupt,and they have second employers who provide them with private fat envelopes to write fake stories or tarnish other people’s lives.
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
If you are soft don’t go to political press conferences, tell your bosses to send tough guys. Politics is a tough world my dear
Then if this is the position of Misa then why go there as you’re not obliged or forced to go there
Has DPP stopped intimidation of the journalists?
Things will never change in this country. We are just myopic as a people. For instance, the one party regime vanished over 20 years ago but we are still busy using the same one party systems to date like erecting flags just because one person called a president will pass the road. Lining up police officers for hours waiting for one person to pass, closing roads for hours waiting for someone to pass. We are doomed really!