MISA Call For Amendments Of Some Laws
By Vitumbiko Mvula…….
Media Institute of Southern Africa ( MISA) Malawi has argued Government to review the electronic and transactions and cyber security act of 2016 saying some provisions are broad.
This has been said this morning during the media practitioners breakfast at Kamuzu Palace where the state President invited media practitioners as they join the rest of the world in celebrating the 30th anniversary World Press Freedom Day . This year World Press Freedom Day is celebrated under the theme ” shaping a future of lights freedom of expression bas a driver of all other human rights ” which is lining with section 35 of the constitution on Malawi.
MISA chairperson Tereza Ndanga says the organisation does not condorne misinformation or publication of fake news but criminalisation of online has a chilling effect and recognised law against freedom of expression.
She further asked government to consider rebuilding and amending criminal defamation laws that contradict the press freedom of expression with agency.
“The malpractice in the country is benefiting the powerful those in advantage positions at the expense of the countries scarce resources.
Ndanga was depressed in Government for not intervening when MISA wrote them seeking intervention and there was no response when Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) revoked licenses of 6 radio stations and 4 Television stations which led to 250 journalist jobless.
” Loss of jobs in media means limitation of entertainment and limitation of other rights and limitation to access of information of the public”.
Minister of information and digitalization ,Honourable Moses Nkukuyu, says the ministry and the media will be engaging on the issues pointed.
” I believe that some of the issues raised by MISA can be resolved with the engagement of the media and the ministry .”
Speaking on the event President of Malawi his Excellency Lazarus Mc Cathy Chakwera says freedom of expression is one of the corner stones of a democratic society. If we are protect someones right then we need to say it publicly and loudly hence freedom of the press and expression are very important.
” Press freedom is a sacred responsibility that we must take it seriously because promotion and protection of all other rights depend on it. We must never abuse discrete or corrupt it because the abuse of freedom of expression and the press puts all other human rights at risk.
One of the long time journalist in the country Iyvone Aponda Sunda says he she is glad that media expression is being respected in the country media practitioners have major role to play in achieving the Agenda 2063 as far as bridging the communication gap is concerned. Without journalist is like a country with total black out not knowing what is happening.
” Am excited to see that things are working well now compared to the past but the goal is to see media free from harrasment. Media play a big role in interpreting and explaining to local Malawians what’s in the Agenda 2063.
The United Nations ( UN ) set aside 3rd May to be the World Press Freedom Day the same year and month Malawi had its first democratic elections.
