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The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) has written President Bakili Muluzi, condemning the attack against Nation Publications Ltd photojournalist Daniel Nyirenda.
“Although we commend you for acknowledging the incident, we call upon you to commit yourself and your government to ensure the safety of journalists in Malawi.
“We urge you to ensure that those perpetrators of violence against journalists, are arrested, tried and sentenced for disregarding and infringing upon the rights of Daniel Nyirenda, a Malawian citizen,” reads the letter dated July 9, 2003 and signed by Misa regional director Luckson Chipare.
Nyirenda was severely beaten-up by UDF Youth Democrats at the party’s mini-convention at Chichiri Conference Centre in Blantyre, Monday, where he also lost a digital camera, a still one and a cellphone to his attackers.
In the same vein, Misa says it is concerned about the recent threats that the President has levelled against the media.
“On a number of occasions in the last few weeks you have threatened to "deal" with the media. We are concerned that even if you do not fulfil these threats in your personal capacity, you might be sending a signal to ruling party zealots that you support acts of violence and intimidation against media workers,” reads the letter
Misa reminds Muluzi that the promotion of human rights, peace, tolerance and stability, public accountability, access to information and general people's participation in the decision making process are key challenges for a vibrant and constructive democracy.
“In 1991, through signing the Windhoek Declaration —a Unesco Declaration — the world affirmed that a free press is essential to the existence of democracy and a fundamental human goal.
“It is, therefore, disconcerting that more than 10 years after the Windhoek Declaration, journalists in Malawi are forced to operate in conditions which not only infringe on their capacity to operate as media practitioners, but also violate their basic human rights,” says the letter.
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