Private Media houses threaten to boycott Mutharika’s press briefing

As President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika and the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) continues to attack some media houses in the country for writing negative stories about his government, Private media houses in the country have reacted harshly.

Since Mutharika returned to United Nation General Assembly (UNGA), the President has been all over town attacking Zodiak Broadcasting Station (ZBS) and Daily Times for spreading rumours of ill-health.

Due to the continued attacks, Private media house owners and managers met at Mount Soche Hotel in the commercial capital where they resolved to hand Mutharika and his Cabinet Ministers a news blackout.

In a statement seen by FaceofMalawi reporter jointly signed by Nation Publications Limited, Times Group Limited, ZBS , MIJ Fm radio, CHANCO radio/TV Station, Capital Radio Malawi Limited, Beta TV, said Mutharika’s tendency is worrisome to media freedom in the country.

In the statement, the media houses have cited the harassment that journalists from Zodiak Broadcasting Station, Daily times and other houses faced at State House recently and the presence of DPP supporters of during the briefing as the main concern.

The media houses have also questioned the role of Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA), saying the institution is siding with government to silence private media houses in the country citing the recent summoning of ZBS over remarks uttered by Kamlepo Kalua.

Meanwhile Minister of Information and Communications Technology Malisoni Ndau is yet to respond to the stand taken by private media house owners.