Articles by Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA)
Increasing interference reported at Malawi Broadcasting Corporation
The former head of the current affairs desk at the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), Albert Ndarama, has been dismissed from the corporation in what he considers to be a politically motivated move. Ndarama told MISA he received notice from the MBC on 16 May terminating his contract with the corporation with immediate effect. The notice […]
Journalist questioned and subpoenaed as state witness in politicians’ trial
Journalist Chinyeke Tembo, of the Malawian daily newspaper “The Nation”, faces possible imprisonment for refusing to testify in the upcoming trial of two leaders of the Malawi Democratic Party (MDP). Tembo has written to Chief State Advocate Enoch Chibwana to say he would not appear as a state witness at the trial of the two […]
MP threatens “Mmegi” journalist Mesh Moeti
**For background to February incident, see IFEX alert dated 8 May 1995** A member of parliament (MP) stormed into the offices of the weekly newspaper “Mmegi” and threatened the paper’s parliamentary correspondent, Mesh Moeti. In its 28 July 1995 edition, “Mmegi” reported that Botswana National Front (BNF) MP Geoffrey Mosimakoko entered the newspaper’s premises on […]
“Swazi Observer” news editor Donny Nxumalo suspended
**Updates IFEX alerts dated 4 August, 13 July 8 June and 13 March 1995** The news editor of the “Swazi Observer”, Donny Nxumalo, has been suspended indefinitely for writing what the paper’s management terms “defamatory statements” about public figures. The “Observer” is a daily newspaper owned by a trust headed by Swaziland’s head of state, […]
Former president arrested for addressing rally
Kaunda was charged under the Public Order Act with illegally addressing a public rally on 17 June. According to “The Post” of Zambia, the 71-year-old former president turned himself over to police after an initial attempt to arrest him at Lusaka International airport on 6 August “flopped”. Kaunda was released on bail after being cautioned […]
“Financial Gazette” publisher, editor and deputy editor found guilty of criminal defamation
**Updates IFEX alerts dated 3 August, 24 and 16 July, and 16 and 10 June 1995** The publisher, editor and deputy editor of Zimbabwe’s “Financial Gazette” have been found guilty of criminal defamation, and are now awaiting sentencing, the South African Press Association (SAPA) reports. Deputy editor Simba Makunike was found guilty of actual intent […]
Producers resign after denied access to NBC footage
**For background to previous incident, see IFEX alert dated 14 June 1995** Video footage in which a minister made controversial comments about a newly-formed political party went missing from the archives of the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), prompting two senior producers to resign because of what they termed “political interference.” Executive Producer of Television Current […]
Ministerial pressure on paper is “more than family row,” says MISA
A newspaper is under pressure from a cabinet minister following the paper’s publication of a story speculating that the minister wanted to resign from cabinet. “The Weekly Chronicle” led its 3 July 1995 edition with a story headlined “Patel resigns?”, in which an unnamed source disclosed that then-Minister of Mines and Energy Rolph Patel had […]