MALAWI CIVIL SOCIETY: AGAINST FREEDOM OF THE PRESS AND CHASE JOURNALISTS AWAY

By: Qeko

The news that the Malawi Civil Society Organization chased journalists from the MBC TV from their press conference at Crossroad hotel is unfortunate, disappointing and a sad development in the democratic Malawi. This action is regrettable and shows how much the Civil Society in Malawi are dragging the country backwards in terms of freedom of the press and the journalism. This is a sad development in the life of the Civil Society Organizations’ activism and their campaign in promoting democracy, the rule of law and the rights of journalist in the country.

The chasing away of journalists is the highest form of segregation and apartheid in Malawi journalism where such reputable organizations that are meant to promote freedom of the press can turn their back and destroy the very work they are called to do. The fact that journalists from the private institutions were not allowed to attend a particular press conference does not give the NGOs a ticket to do the pay back thing because they have the duty to do more because even the donors who support and pay for their bread expect them to be exemplary and walk the talk.

This action has demonstrated that civil society organizations have failed to put into practice what they preach about freedom of the press in the country. In other word, they only talk about freedom of journalists but are not able to put this into practice. As advocators of democracy in the country it is expected of all Civil Society Organizations to be exemplary even in accommodating all journalists and not segregating some. Now if they can chase journalists just because they come from their opposing side then why do they preach about freedom if they are the destroyer of the same freedom they preach? Why making the presence of journalists from their enemies camp an issue? Would they not have used this opportunity to show and demonstrate that they are able to walk the talk and not just preach this freedom of the press gospel? It is sad that at this particular time these Civil Society Organizations missed their opportunity to show that they exist to promote the well being of journalists and their freedom in the country.