2025-04-30. Press freedom is not a luxury – it is a cornerstone of democracy. Only by ensuring legal protections, independent journalism, and public access to information can Malawi protect the media’s vital role in society, writes online editor, Sellina Nyankowani Kainja
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While Malawi’s Constitution guarantees freedom of expression and access to information, the reality for journalists is troubling – marked by political intimidation, legal constraints, and economic pressures.
Across Malawi and much of Africa, press freedom is at a crossroads; caught between the ideals of democracy and a rising tide of political, social, and ideological polarisation. The question remains: Can the media truly stay free and independent in such an environment?
Malawi’s journalists regularly face political intimidation designed to suppress critical reporting. In April 2024, Malawi24 journalist Macmillan Mhone was arrested after publishing an article accusing businessman Abdul Karim Batatawala of corruption. Charged with extortion and causing public alarm, Mhone was moved from Blantyre to Lilongwe – over 300 kilometres away – before being released on bail. Human rights groups condemned the arrest, seeing it as an attempt to silence those exposing corruption. The case remains stalled.
Similarly, in April 2022, investigative journalist Gregory Gondwe was detained after reporting on government dealings with UK-based Malawian businessman Zuneth Sattar. His arrest and the confiscation of his equipment were seen as efforts to force him to reveal confidential sources.
In August 2024, Nation Publications Limited (NPL) journalists were blocked from livestreaming the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) convention in Lilongwe, attended by President Lazarus Chakwera. In today’s digital era, mobile phones are essential tools for journalism. Stopping journalists from using such devices isn’t just a violation of press freedom – it denies the public timely access to important information.
Opposition actors aren’t blameless either. At the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) convention in 2024, individuals from the “DPP Media Team” forced NPL journalists to delete a Facebook update that included photos of delegates sleeping outside the venue. The team argued that the images portrayed the party in a negative light. Similarly, in December 2024, Times Group journalist Isaac Salima was detained by police and forced to delete images of a fracas at the Directorate of Road Traffic offices in Blantyre.
Legal quagmires
The legal landscape also presents serious obstacles. Although the Constitution upholds freedom of expression, laws like the Electronic Transactions and Cyber Security Act of 2016 are increasingly used to restrict it. The Act criminalises the publication of “offensive” content online, with vague terms like “false information” and “injurious messages,” allowing authorities to target dissenting voices. Intended to combat cybercrime, the law is now wielded to suppress journalists, particularly those critical of the government.
This climate of political interference is exacerbated by Malawi’s growing polarisation. Truth itself has become contested, with political factions using information as a weapon. Journalists are often labelled as enemies or allies based on their reporting. Those who challenge the government are accused of aligning with the opposition, while those who report favourably are branded as propagandists. The space for independent journalism is shrinking, not only because of restrictive laws but also due to the perception war driven by political polarisation.
Economic sustainability remains a huge challenge for Malawi’s media. Many outlets operate on tight budgets, and journalists are often underpaid. This financial vulnerability fuels the practice of chimpondamthengo – where reporters accept payment to cover events. While understandable in a struggling economy, it compromises journalistic integrity and undermines the role of the media as a check on power.
Even institutions designed to protect transparency are underfunded. The Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC), which oversees the Access to Information Act, received no funding for its activities in the 2022–2023 national budget. This raises questions about the government’s commitment to transparency and the effective implementation of the law.
For Malawi to fulfil the promises of its Constitution, it must invest in protecting press freedom. Legal reforms are needed to ensure laws align with constitutional guarantees. Oversight bodies like the MHRC must be adequately funded, and a political culture that values truth over political expediency must be fostered.
‘Press freedom is not a luxury – it is a cornerstone of democracy.’
Only by ensuring legal protections, independent journalism, and public access to information can Malawi protect the media’s vital role in society. Only then can the media serve as a moral compass, holding power accountable and ensuring that truth remains its target, not its casualty
