By Chrispin Kapindira
The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Malawi has strongly condemned threats made against Nation Publications Limited (NPL) journalists by suspected Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) supporters.
According to a press release issued by MISA Malawi on August 20, 2024, the threats occurred during the DPP's national convention at the COMESA Hall in Blantyre on August 19, 2024.
Members of the "DPP media team" allegedly forced NPL journalists to delete a Facebook news update covering the convention, and the journalists had to seek protection from party officials to safely exit the hall with their equipment.
MISA Malawi described the intimidation and forced deletion of stories as a "huge affront to media freedom and the public's right to know," emphasizing that such actions are incompatible with democratic principles.
"It is even more concerning that such barbaric actions are happening at a time when Malawians are eager to know what is happening in respective political parties to make informed choices during the 2025 elections," the release stated.
MISA Malawi has called on the DPP leadership to publicly disapprove the individuals responsible for the harassment, which has strained the working relationship between the party and the media.
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