(MISA/IFEX) – Malawi’s “Daily Times” newspaper reported that the United Democratic Front (UDF) has drawn up a list of journalists to be assaulted for allegedly discrediting the ruling party. The UDF is reported to be planning to use a group of Young Democrats based in Ndirande, reportedly headed by Shire Buslines Chief Executive Humphrey Mvula […]
(MISA/IFEX) – Malawi’s “Daily Times” newspaper reported that the United Democratic Front (UDF) has drawn up a list of journalists to be assaulted for allegedly discrediting the ruling party.
The UDF is reported to be planning to use a group of Young Democrats based in Ndirande, reportedly headed by Shire Buslines Chief Executive Humphrey Mvula and presidential youth advisor Henry Moyo, to carry out the assaults. However, Mvula has since disassociated himself from the group, saying he does not control any group.
The names of singled out journalists include “Daily Times” chief reporter Mabvuto Banda and senior journalist Penelope Paliani, BBC correspondent Raphael Tenthani and “Nation” newspaper journalist Pilirani Semu.
The group of Young Democrats have been researching to find out where the five journalists live, which places they frequent and who they chat with.
When contacted for comment, Tenthani said he was surprised by the news because he always tries to be fair in his reports. In fact, he said, if he is not fair and balanced his reports could not be aired because the BBC’s editorial policy is strict on fairness.
Tenthani, who is also vice chairman of MISA-Malawi, said he believes such schemes do not have the blessing of the president who, he said, has time and again professed to being a friend of the media. “Dr. Muluzi is a gallant peace crusader, so I don’t think he can be fighting for peace in other countries while funding a group of people who wants to disrupt peace in his own country. It just doesn’t make sense,” he said.
Paliani concurred with Tenthani, saying President Muluzi should make sure he deals with this group who claim to work for him. “Instead of helping the president they are tarnishing his name,” he said. “Young Democrats, like the Young Pioneers, should be used for development purposes, not to disrupt peace. They are only descrediting the president.”
Banda said he has heard rumours that he is on the blacklist and wondered why the UDF should resort to beating people up instead of just answering the allegation.
On her part, Semu said she may be scared but as long as she is doing a professional job she remains unfazed. “I will continue working as professionally as possible,” she said.
Background Information
There has been an increase in assault on journalists recently. Journalists Brian Ligomeka and Chinyeke Tembo were beaten up during and soon after the Southern African Development Community (SADC) conference, allegedly for working with opposition National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leader Brown Mpinganjira. John Saini, publisher of “Pride” magazine, was also threatened during the summit (see IFEX alerts of 12 October, 24 September, 17, 16 and 14 August 2001).
President Muluzi has neither condemned nor commented on the assaults on journalists, which journalists say may taint his government’s image internationally.
