By Chisomo Phiri
President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera says as the Head of State, he always strives to promote the freedom of the press in the country as it is what many Malawians want.
Chakwera was speaking on Wednesday morning at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe where he held breakfast with journalists from several media houses, marking the commemoration of the World Press Freedom Day.
The President said the media remains a partner in development and a core institution in entrenchment of democratic values in an open society hence a need to promote freedom of speech.
“It is for this reason that their professional and noble role of packaging and relaying information to the masses must be promoted by all stakeholders.
“My administration, therefore, pledges to continue upholding all forms of media freedoms and independence, said Chakwera.
Chakwera thanked the media for the good job it is doing in promoting the rights of Malawians.
He however, appealed to the media not to abuse their freedom of expression in advancing their own interests, but to serve the Malawians.
On her part,MISA Malawi outgoing chairperson Teresa Ndanga applauded the Dr.Chakwera and his government for allowing the media to work freely and appealed to the President to continue providing a conducive working environment as the President and his Party have been according to the media fraternity.
On his turn,the Information Minister who is also the Malawi Congress Party ( MCP) campaign director Moses Kumkuyu assured the media of a continued commitment and engagement so as to achieving free press in the country.
In the past, under the United Democratic Front (UDF )and Democratic Progressive Party ( DPP) governments, Media used to face numerous challenges ranging from unnecessary arrests of journalists, passing of draconian laws and many more bad practices done by DPP cadets and the young democrats of UDF.
This is unlike the current MCP government under the leadership of Dr. Lazarus Chakwera as there is a conducive working environment which is enjoyed by journalists.
May 3 was set aside by the United Nations to commemorate and celebrate the media around the world.
The Day acts as a prompt to governments of the necessity to uphold their commitment to press freedom.
It brings to light the significance of acknowledging freedom of expression that enables other human rights to be acquired to diminish and uncover abuses by the authority.
