malawi: journalist assaulted
A senior public servant assaulted journalist McDonald Chapalapata, of "The Nation" newspaper on November 28. "He pounced on me as I took notes and I fell to the floor. He smashed my cell phone and my company dictaphone against a wall," Chapalapata, who sustained injuries to his face and arm, told NAMISA.
IFEX - News from the international freedom of expression community
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ALERT - MALAWI
9 December 2002
Journalist assaulted
SOURCE: Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), Windhoek
(MISA/IFEX) - On 28 November 2002, a senior public servant assaulted journalist
McDonald Chapalapata, of "The Nation" newspaper.
Chapalapata told the National Media Institute of Malawi (NAMISA), MISA's Malawi
chapter, that the National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA) finance controller, Paul
Chimenya, attacked him in the office of the latter's lawyer, after the
journalist asked him about allegations that he fraudulently awarded a contract
to his personal transport company.
"He pounced on me as I took notes and I fell to the floor. He smashed my cell
phone and my company dictaphone against a wall," Chapalapata, who sustained
injuries to his face and arm, told NAMISA.
Chimenya denied having beaten the reporter, saying he only tried to push him out
of the office.
"I pushed him and he fell down. I even regret having granted him the interview.
He is childish," he said.
The police has opened a criminal case against Chimenya.
NAMISA condemned the incident, calling upon those who come into contact with the
media to desist from attacking journalists.
BACKGROUND:
In a similar incident, on 23 October, a member of parliament (MP) belonging to
the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF), assaulted "The Nation" journalist
Gedion Munthali. The MP became incensed when Munthali confronted him about calls
from his constituents to vote against changing the Malawi Constitution to allow
incumbent President Bakili Muluzi another term in office (see IFEX alert of 24
October 2002).
"The Nation" is privately owned and is Malawi's largest daily newspaper. It also
has a weekend section.
For further information, contact Zoe Titus or Kaitira Kandjii, Regional
Information Coordinator, MISA, Street Address: 21 Johann Albrecht Street,
Mailing Address; Private Bag 13386 Windhoek, Namibia, tel: +264 61 232975, fax:
+264 61 248016, e-mail: [email protected] or [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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