Malawi: Newspapers threatened with legal action
On 10 May 2004, presidential candidate Bingu Mutharika, of the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) party, threatened to sue the "Weekend Nation" and "The Dispatch" newspapers for what he referred to as "defamatory" articles. In early May, the two newspapers ran a series of stories alleging that Mutharika was fired as secretary-general of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) for "abuse of office" and "failure to motivate his management team". The articles were published after President Bakili Muluzi publicly stated that Mutharika is the only qualified candidate who can "scoop Malawi from its economic malaise."
IFEX - News from the international freedom of expression community
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ALERT - MALAWI
14 May 2004
Newspapers threatened with legal action
SOURCE: Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), Windhoek
(MISA/IFEX) - On 10 May 2004, presidential candidate Bingu Mutharika, of the
ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) party, threatened to sue the "Weekend
Nation" and "The Dispatch" newspapers for what he referred to as "defamatory"
articles.
In early May, the two newspapers ran a series of stories alleging that Mutharika
was fired as secretary-general of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern
Africa (COMESA) for "abuse of office" and "failure to motivate his management
team". The articles were published after President Bakili Muluzi publicly stated
that Mutharika is the only qualified candidate who can "scoop Malawi from its
economic malaise."
The newspapers quoted a report by a special committee that was set up to audit
COMESA. The committee's findings led to Mutharika's dismissal from the group in
1997.
At a 10 May press conference in Blantyre, Mutharika said the articles were "a
devious fabrication" aimed at destroying his name. Mutharika, who only allowed
two questions during the briefing, said the audit report was false and had not
been signed.
However, Alfred Ntonga, editor-in-chief of Nation Publications Limited, which
publishes the "Nation" and "Weekend Nation", said his company would stand by its
story as its sources were reliable.
"The Dispatch" managing editor Martines Namingah also defended his newspaper.
BACKGROUND:
President Muluzi is conducting a tour in the country, promoting his chosen
successor as the only hope for the nation. In 1999, the president told Malawians
that Mutharika misused money at COMESA. Ironically, Muluzi chaired COMESA at the
time that Mutharika was dismissed. He now claims that his protégé was fired
because of office politics.
Following his dismissal from COMESA, Mutharika hastily formed the United Party
(UP) in 1999, at which time he was a candidate in the presidential elections.
He emerged last out of five candidates and has since rejoined the ruling UDF.
Muluzi hand-picked Mutharika as the UDF torchbearer, leading to a mass exodus of
the party's founding members.
For further information, contact Zoé Titus or Kaitira Kandjii, Regional
Information Coordinator, MISA, Street Address: 21 Johann Albrecht Street,
Mailing Address; Private Bag 13386 Windhoek, Namibia, tel: +264 61 232 975, fax:
+264 61 248 016, 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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