The Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC),an organisation fighting for electoral justice, has gone to court seeking clarification and justice on defamation by the state run – Malawi Broadcasting Corporation ( MBC) for labelling it, a terrorist organisation in Malawi (Bungwe la za uchifwamba)
HRDC through its lawyers, Wesley Chalo Kawelo Mwafulirwa and Bracious Chenda Kondowe of Kawelo Lawyers are demanding that MBC should retract and apologise for the sentiments within a period of seven days. The human rights body is also demanding K200 million from MBC for the damages caused.
HRDC is advising MBC that its lawyers will commence legal proceedings against it as well as the news bulletin anchor of Thursday, 16th January, 2020, Ms Matilda Mkandawire if their demands are not fulfilled.
Meanwhile, Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiative ( CDEDI) in its press statement signed by its Interim Executive Director, Sylvester Namiwa, finds MBCs conduct as a deliberate ploy to instigate anger and hatred towards the members of the HRDC with the potential of disturbing the country’s peace and unity.
CDEDI is reminding MBC Director General, Mr. Aubrey Sumbuleta that MBC belongs to the people of Malawi and politicians should refrain from interfering with it for the fact that the station is being run with tax payers money .
The organisation is also reminding individual journalists in the country that just like there is no story worth dying for, there is also no politician worth dying for and they should always refuse to be used by politicians.
CDEDI is further reminding Malawians that when all is said and done, they should remember that there will come a time when everyone shall be held accountable for his or her role in the current political impasse the country is experiencing.
