Chakwera reaffirms upholding Press Freedom
By Judgement Katika…..
President Lazarus Chakwera has once again assured the press in the country that he will continue to uphold their freedom, saying the removal of primitive laws that criminalized insults against the President, and operationalization of the Access To Information Act, among others, clearly shows his commitment with action towards upholding the press freedom.
The President made the assurance on Thursday, 2nd May, 2024 at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe during the breakfast he prepared for the media fraternity as they commemorate the World Press Freedom Day falling on 3rd May every year.
Speaking during the event, Chakwera said Malawi is a free country whose freedom includes that of the press as enshrined in the country’s constitution.
However, President Chakwera appealed for the press to use their freedom to tell better stories that advance national interests, such as to inspire the World to support Malawi’s gallant fight against the monster of climate change.
“The story our nation’s press must help to tell the world is the inspiring story of how Malawi has stood up to this giant monster of climate change. It is the inspiring story of how we continue to defend ourselves bravely against this, which is bigger and more ferocious than any other challenge we face right now” said President Chakwera.
This was the third time since ascending to power that President Chakwera has hosted the media fraternity to the breakfast as part of the commemorations of World Press Freedom Day.
This year, the World is commemorating Press Freedom Day under the theme “A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of the Environmental Crisis” but back home, the day will be celebrated under the theme “Guardians of Democracy: Championing Media Independence for Credible Elections”.
