Tag Archives: Misa-Malawi chairperson Teresa Ndanga

Law and order, Malawi

MISA Malawi commends Chakwera’s Tonse on sedition laws’ repeal

Chisomo Phiri

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-MISA Malawi has commended move by the Malawi government to repeal some of sections of the Penal Code and Protected Flag, Emblems and Names Act in order to stop criminal offences on sedition.

In a statement, MISA Malawi chairperson Teresa Ndanga said for several years, MISA Malawi has been calling for the repeal of such archaic and undemocratic laws as they are not only consistent with the current Constitutional order but are broad, vague and subject to abuse by the authorities who strongly dislike criticism or opposing views.

MISA Malawi chairperson Teresa Ndanga

She said MISA Malawi is delighted to note that the government has decided to remove such laws from the county’s statues, hoping that the move will definitely open up the civic space and ensure unhindered participation of every Malawian in the democratic discourse.

” MISA Malawi urges Members of of Parliament ( MPs) to critically look at the proposed Bills and ensure that freedoms of expression, opinions, media freedom are upheld and protected.

“We would also like to ask the government to move a step further and repeal all laws that restrict and criminalise freedoms of expression, opinion and the press in Malawi and level the field for unrestricted civic participation,” said Ndanga.

Notices from the Attorney General (AG) Thabo Chakaka-Nyirenda to the Malawi Parliament show that the government is expected to table the Protected Flag, Emblems and Names (Amendment) Bill, 2022 and Penal Code (Amendment) Bill, 2022.

Both Bills propose the repeal of sedition offences.

In Malawi, administrations have often used such laws to silence and punish critical voices in the name of protecting ‘dignity and honour’ of public officials and offices.

Section 4 of the Protected Flag, Emblems and Names Act of 1967 reads: “Any person who does any act or utters any words or publishes or utters any writing calculated to or liable to insult, ridicule or to show disrespect to or with reference to the President, the National Flag, the Armorial Ensigns, the Public Seal, or any protected emblem or protected likeness, shall be liable to a fine of £1,000 and to imprisonment for two years”.

Sections 50 and 51 of the Penal Code spell out seditious intention and seditious offences by, among others, defining seditious intention as an intention “to bring into hatred and contempt or to excite disaffection against the person of the President, or the Government”.

Successive governments have used these laws and sedition charges to restrict freedoms of expression and opinion; and gag criticism.

Development, Education, Top News

Unicaf University commits scholarship’s full payment to 2019 Misa awards overall winner

Maravi Post Reporter

Unicaf University commits scholarship fully payment to 2019 Misa awards overall winner

 

MZUZU-(MaraviPost)-Unicaf University Malawi (UUM) has offered a fully funded scholarship to the overall winner of the 2019 Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) annual media awards gala which took place on 04th May, 2019 at Sunbird Mzuzu Hotel.

Albert Sharra, formally of The Nation Publication Limited was the top winner of the awards night in addition to winning education journalist award and the pediatric journalist award.

The scholarship has been offered as part of a three year agreement which MISA Malawi signed with the university on 15th January, 2018.

UNICAF sponsor the this top award under its Corporate Scholarship Scheme but also one way of appreciating the positive impact of media in Malawi.

MISA Malawi Chapter joined the rest of world in celebrating the press freedom day which falls on 03rd May each year.

As part of the celebration; awards were given to over 40 journalist to appreciate the remarkable work which they do in the media sector.

The theme of this year’s celebration was titled, “Media for Democracy: Journalism and Elections in Times of Disinformation.”

This theme focused on promoting media diversity, pluralism, self-sufficiency and independence.

The event was attended by over 250 journalists, government officials, international dignitaries, ambassadors, media house managers and owners including other sponsors.

Speaking during the ceremony, MISA Malawi Chairperson Teresa Ndanga thanked Unicaf University for being amongst the universities that contributes towards the development of professional journalism in Malawi. Ndanga said; “good tertiary providers play a major role in contributing towards the professionalism of journalists.”

In his speech,

 

who spoke on behalf of all sponsors and thanked MISA Malawi for creating such an opportunity as a way of promoting media diversity and independence in Malawi.

He said; Unicaf University, will continue to contribute towards the professionalism of journalist in Malawi and has encouraged other sponsors of the event to continue supporting journalist so that together we can build a better Malawi.

Apart from the scholarship, the university also offers financial support to MISA Malawi to assist in preparations of the gala night.

In 2018, Rebecca Chimzeka of BNL Times also received the overall winner award from Unicaf University.

Top News

Malawi Presidential running mates debate set for March 7; Road to May 21 polls

Ufulu

Malawi Presidential running mates debate set for March 7

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The country is expected to conduct presidential running mates debate slated for March 7 at Bingu International Conference Cente in the capital Lilongwe from 6.30pm

The organiser Zodiak Broadcasting Station (ZBS) will run the debate live on its Television.

The panellists will be runningmates from ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Everton Chimulirenji, Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Sidik Mia, People’s Party (PP) Dr Jerry Jana, United Democratic Front (UDF) Frank Tumpale Mwenifumbo and UTP Party Dr Micheal Usi.

The second debate will take place on March 14 at Comesa Hall in Blantyre from 6:30pm.

Mwenifumbo, who is Atupele Muluzi’s running mate, said he was ready to face off with all the running mates.

The running mates debate comes at a time when Media Institute for Southern Africa (MISA) Malawi Chapter will, from March 29 2019 to 5 April 2019, convene presidential debates to give citizens an opportunity to examine candidates eyeing the top office.

MISA Malawi chairperson Teresa Ndanga told journalists  last week that  the debates are a platform for the candidates to outline their developmental agendas if they are to be elected into office.

“We believe that the debates will promote and [push the] focus [of] the election [towards] issues rather than personalities” Ndanga stated.

The debates are therefore expected to provide Malawians with an opportunity to scrutinise the candidates and elect those that have the skills and competence to lead the country.

Only three months remain before the country goes for much awaited contested polls whose many contenders are MCP, DPP, PP, UTM Party and UDF.

 

Human Rights, Malawi

Misa-Malawi chides President Mutharika on media remarks

Maravi Post Reporter

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa) Malawi Chapter this week challenged government to formally lodge complaints with the body when it feels there are acts of unprofessionalism in the media.

This follows President Peter Mutharika’s sentiments at this year’s John Chilembwe Day commemoration at Providence Industrial Mission (PIM) in Chiradzulu.

In his speech, the President said the media are making a mistake as they are destroying the country hence there is need for mindset change.

“According to Forbes Magazine and Cosmopolitan Travel Guide , Malawi is among the top 18 countries to be most visited in 2018. Worldwide, Malawi is rated number three and in Africa as number one country to visit in 2018.

“You will not find that in our local media because they are busy trashing this country. By doing that, they think they are hurting me. They are making a mistake,” Mutharika said.

But responding to the remarks, Misa-Malawi chairperson Teresa Ndanga said the core role of journalists is not praising government for doing its job.

Ndanga said the role of the media as a watchdog entails unearthing wrongs so that authorities know where to focus their energies.

“If the President’s view is based on evidence of publication of false stories by journalists, we urge government to share those concerns formally to Misa. We do not support unprofessional reporting and therefore, we will address government’s concerns once we have a formal complaint,” said Ndanga.

However, contrary to the President’s accusations, The Nation of December 30 2017 reported that United Kingdom magazine Cosmopolitan named Malawi among the world’s 15 holiday destinations of choice in 2018.