Malawi media freedom still under threat, British High Commissioner to Malawi

MALAWI: British High Commissioner to Malawi David Beer says media freedom in Malawi continues to suffer threats of oppression due to the existence of some laws.

Beer has been speaking in Lilongwe at the opening of a panel discussion for media practitioners to look at threats and possibilities for press freedom in the year 2022.

According to the High Commissioner, although there have been positive strides in upholding media freedom, the media is still limited in the exercise of freedom because of these laws.

“Laws like the 2016 Cybersecurity Act impinge on press freedom, which makes it difficult for journalists to practice freely,” Beer said.

The High Commissioner added that the Access to Information (ATI) Act is important as it will help journalists to acquire information from authorities.

On the state of the Malawi Newsroom 202 report, Beer said corruption continues to be rampant in most media houses.

“I have been reading the 2021 State of the Newsroom' Report and it is clear that corruption is still rampant in the media, but the availability of the Media Council of Malawi may help eradicate the vice,” said the British High Commissioner.

One of the panelists, Dr. Francis Chikunkhuzeni of MUBAS said one big threat to media freedom is ownership, saying the owners of most media houses decide what to be published or not.

The panel discussion, currently underway in Lilongwe, is being held under the theme: State of Media Freedom in Malawi: Threats and Opportunities in 2022.