BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-The country’s Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) on Friday, January 17, 2020 arraigned the country’s mother broadcaster, Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) for defamatory statement against the human rights organisation.
According to the letter presented to the MBC from HRDC lawyers, one Ms. Matilda Mkandawire who is a presenter for MBC on 16th of January, 2020 used the term ‘terrorist group’ in reference to the human rights organisation following the nation-wide peaceful demonstrations marshaled by the organization.
“Your radio station in its evening news bulletin presented by one Ms. Matilda Mkandawire described our client in Chichewa as ‘bungwe lazawuchifwamba la Human Rights Defenders Coalition’. In its literal sense, the statement meant: Human Rights Defenders Coalition, a terrorist organization.
Terrorism is not only a moral vice but is also a crime under our laws as well as international criminal law.
The words published were therefore very defamatory and contrary to the values and principles on which our client’s organisation is based,” reads part of the letter.
The organization therefore has demanded a statement of apology from the media house to be issued before the end of 48 hours and for a period of seven days.
It has also demanded the sum of MK200 million to be paid to the organisation as compensation for the damaged caused due to the statement issued by the media house.
