Malawi: Journalist attacked
On 29 January 2005, "Daily Times" reporter Collins Mtika was beaten up by supporters of the Alliance for Democracy (AFORD), a party that is a member of the ruling coalition. Mtika told MISA-Malawi that he was attacked when he went to cover a press conference at AFORD leader Chakufwa Chihana's house, in the northern city of Mzuzu. At the press conference, Chihana challenged a decision by certain executive members to dismiss him from the party on allegations of poor governance and fraud.
IFEX - News from the international freedom of expression community
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ALERT - MALAWI
31 January 2005
Journalist attacked
SOURCE: Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), Windhoek
(MISA/IFEX) - On 29 January 2005, "Daily Times" reporter Collins Mtika was
beaten up by supporters of the Alliance for Democracy (AFORD), a party that
is a member of the ruling coalition.
Mtika told MISA-Malawi that he was attacked when he went to cover a press
conference at AFORD leader Chakufwa Chihana's house, in the northern city of
Mzuzu. At the press conference, Chihana challenged a decision by certain
executive members to dismiss him from the party on allegations of poor
governance and fraud.
Mtika alleged that Chihana's nephew Jeremiah Chihana ordered the beating,
accusing the journalist of "reporting ill about [his] leader."
"I sustained a swollen left eye and I have general body pains," Mtika said.
Meanwhile, MISA-Malawi (also known as Namisa) publicly condemned the beating
as "barbaric and retrogressive." In an interview with local media, Namisa
Chairperson Lewis Msasa demanded an apology from AFORD and asked police to
arrest the culprits.
BACKGROUND:
Chihana led the revolution that removed Malawi's first president, Hastings
Kamuzu Banda, but failed to gain the presidency.
For further information, contact Zoé Titus, Programme Manager, Media Freedom
Monitoring, MISA, Private Bag 13386 Windhoek, Namibia, tel: +264 61 232 975,
fax: +264 61 248 016, e-mail: [email protected], Internet:
http://www.misa.org
The information contained in this alert is the sole responsibility of MISA.
In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit MISA.
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