By Cathy Maulidi:
President Lazarus Chakwera has denied ever issuing orders to the police to arrest anyone, let alone a journalist, in Malawi.
Chakwera said he was aware that some “misguided law enforcement agents” have in the past year tried to damage Malawi’s reputation as a place where the press is free to publish what it likes.
He was speaking at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe Thursday, when he hosted journalists to a breakfast as part of celebrating World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) which falls on May 3.
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The President said ordering the police to arrest journalists would be a violation of the Constitution which he took an oath to protect.
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“Some of you have fallen for the lie that such misguided police abuses are meted out with orders from here, but I can assure you that I have never issued orders to the police to arrest anyone,” he said.
Chakwera also expressed displeasure at public officers who allegedly abuse his office or misuse his name to induce police officers to act on their behalf.
He insisted that Malawi is a free country and that its freedom includes that of the press.
“So mine is merely an appeal to you, journalists, to use this freedom to tell better stories and stories that inspire the world to support our gallant fight against the monster of climate change,” the President said.
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This year’s global WPFD theme is ‘A Press for The Planet: Journalism in The Face of The Environmental Crisis’.
Commenting on the topic, Chakwera reiterated that there is no nation on earth that is not facing climate change impacts.
“The story we must tell, the story our nation’s press must help to tell the world, is the inspiring story of how Malawi has stood up to this giant monster of climate change,” he said.
The President then announced a contribution of K5 million towards the finishing of construction works on Mtolankhani House in Lilongwe.
Media Institute of Southern Africa Malawi Vice Chairperson Chisomo Ngulube asked Chakwera to resume the presidential press briefings to give journalists an opportunity to get information on pressing issues, especially as Malawi approaches the 2025 elections.
“Fears are there that supporters of political parties become more violent towards journalists and the media in general as we approach elections.
“Government should ensure that journalists covering the 2025 elections are protected from any kind of violence,” Ngulube said.
The local theme of this year’s WPFD is ‘Guardians of Democracy: Championing Media Independence for Credible Elections’ and the main event is expected to take place in Mangochi Saturday.
