LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Malawi chapter has condemned an assault of four journalists by some police officers at Lilongwe Police Station on March 10, 2020 during the time the journalists were covering the events surrounding the arrest of Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) Chairperson, Timothy Mtambo.
According to press release which has been signed by Misa Malawi’s Chairperson, Teresa Ndanga, the four journalists are Julius Caleone of YONECO FM, Hebert Katanda of Luntha Television, Malumbo Ngwira of MIJ FM and Emma Zawanda of Timveni Media House.
“Misa Malawi would like to express its dismay at continued assault of journalists in their line of duty by members of the Malawi Police Service (MPS). Assault of journalists for merely doing their work is barbaric and retrogressive and has to stop,” reads the press realise partly.
Through the press release, Misa Malawi has also taken a step to remind the men in uniform that the constitution of the country provides for media freedom and that the freedom is enjoyed at all times even including the times of civil unrest.
Miss Malawi has also asked the top authorities at the Malawi Police Service to discipline the officers who abuse their law enforcement duties by assaulting and abusing journalists and also treating them as criminals.
This is not the first time Police officers assault media practitioners. Last year, some journalists were also roughed up by some police officers during HRDC organised protests in Lilongwe.
