LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Malawi chapter on Wednesday, February 19, 2020, condemned the unwelcome behaviour that has been displayed from Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Members of Parliament (MPs) towards media practitioners.
In an open letter signed by MISA Malawi chairperson, Telesa Ndanga, the body has been very concerned by some DPP MPs who on Tuesday, February 18, 2020 afternoon at the Parliament Building in Lilongwe, barred some journalist from interviewing Leader of the House Kondwani Nankhumwa by accusing them of being spies for the opposition and Human Rights Defenders
Coalition (HRDC).
The MPs for the ruling party have also been reportedly accused female journalists of dating opposition Members of Parliament.
In the written statement, MISA Malawi has strongly opposed the behaviour of MP for Blantyre City South East Sameer Suleman, who charged at some female journalists but was restrained
by Minister of Homeland Security Nicholas Dausi and was recorded saying ‘if given a chance he would slap the journalists’.
Lawmakers have also been urged to respect the laws and the Republican Constitution which guarantees media freedom.
MISA Malawi has therefore asked the authorities at Parliament to put an end to such uncalled-for conduct and lawmakers to realize that the National Assembly is a public institution that is supposed to be accountable and transparent to the media and the general public.
