LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-President Lazarus Chakwera on Thursday, May 2, 2024 again assured media fraternity of free press operations in the country.
Chakwera has vehemently disputed notions of any journalists’ arrests, intimidation being ordered by his office.
The President made an assurance when he hosted media practitioners breakfast at Kamuzu Palace in the capital Lilongwe.
Presidential Breakfast was an honor of the World Press Freedom Day which falls on May 3 yearly.
“I’m an advocate of free press. How can I turn against the same what I cherish?
“I have heard some arrests, intimidation on journalists are orders from “Above” refering me that I order such misconduct on the media. I will never pose any threats to the journalists” assures Chakwera.
Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Malawi Chapter Vice Chairperson Chisomo Nguluwe while lauding Chakwera for honoring the press with breakfast yearly demanded media briefing which gives journalists opportunity to ask questions of national importance.
Nguluwe also urged Chakwera’s Tonse Alliance government to review punitive laws that muzzle journalists including Cyber security and Electronic Transactions law.
She observed that the is being abused by state agencies including Malawi Police Service.
President Chakwera goes into the annals of history as the first seating Head of State, to invite members of the press to the State House every year, since taking over the wheels of power in the year 2020, to celebrate World Press Freedom Day.
Since he took over power, Chakwera has always assured the media in Malawi that he will continue preserving and defending the Constitution of Malawi so as to make the work environment for reporters conducive.
As a show of his commitment to uphold and defend media freedom, Chakwera’s administration repealed seditious laws like the amendment of the Protected Flag, Emblems and Names Act.
