By Kondanani Chilimunthaka
President Lazarus Chakwera has once again told the media of his commitment to preserve and defend the Constitution of the country in which media freedom is placed.
Speaking at Kamuzu Palace during the breakfast he prepared for media professionals on Tuesday, May 2,2022 as the world commemorates the World Press Freedom Day, President Chakwera assured the media in the country that he and his government are committed to preserve and defend the Constitution provision that concerns media profession.
“On this World Press Freedom Day, I thought to invite all of you media practitioners or professionals, or journalists here, so that I could assure you in person of my personal resolve and my government’ commitment to the preservation and defence of the Constitution provision that concerns your profession in particular.” Said President Chakwera in his speech.
The President further quoted Section 36 of the Constitution to emphasize his point on the need to give total freedom to the media.
“The Press shall have the right to report and publish freely within Malawi and abroad, and to be accorded the fully possible facilities for access to public information.” Quoted Malawi leader.
He then added that time has come to identically twin Sections 36 and 35 of the Constitution for prudence since the country is now living in the digital age where much of information is accessed through social media by many people.
President Chakwera also told the media that he will not at any time react in the manner that infringes the freedom of the Press and expression even if offended or embarrassed, saying same must apply to all government agencies, officers and citizenry, but he was quick to say such offences and embarrassments can be reported to regulatory bodies and courts for proper action following the rules of justice, adding that behaviors such as arrests, cyber bullying, hacking, or harassment due to defamation by media has no space in the democratic and free society.
President Chakwera also pointed at a need to harmonize some laws to take out those that criminalize and punish the exercise of freedom to be amended through Parliament.
Malawi leader has since commended MISA and Media Council and said such organization need to be celebrated for their efforts to exercise media rights responsibly, and credibly with accountability.
This year’s World Press Freedom Day is being commemorated under the theme “Journalism under digital siege.”
