In June 2015, Nankhumwa was drafted into Peter Mutharika Cabinet where he served as Minister of Information Communication and Technology.
By Malawi Exclusive
Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Kondwani Nankhumwa, should be the last to comment on press freedom in the country.
In June 2015, Nankhumwa was drafted into Peter Mutharika Cabinet where he served as Minister of Information Communication and Technology.
His Mandate as a Minister of Information Communication and Technology was to provide policy direction and guidance in the production and dissemination of public information; coordinate and manage ICT development and services.
During his time Malawi media freedoms were worse and ranked badly on international aggregate.
Nankhumwa failed miserably to pass the much talked about access to information bill into law.
Despite MISA Malawi praying had to have the bill passed into law the prayers by MISA National Governing Council went into vain.
Just few days ago Nankhumwa asked President Lazarus Chakwera administration to stop arresting and torturing journalists in the country.
Nankhumwa, who is also Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Vice President for the South, made the call on Tuesday in a statement to mark this year’s World Press Freedom Day which is being celebrated under the theme “Journalism Under Digital Siege”.
According to Nankhumwa, in his statement said President Chakwera’s Tonse Alliance administration has brazenly gone full throttle in muzzling press freedom, including harassing and arresting journalists for merely doing their job
He cited the arrest of Investigative Journalist Gregory Gondwe, Social media influencer Joshua Chisa Mbele and a nurse from Ntcheu nurse Chidawawa Maine as serious infringement of media freedom in the country.
“As journalists commemorate this very important day, I would like to call upon President Chakwera and his government to resist the temptation of taking Malawi back to the one-party totalitarian practices where journalists were arbitrarily arrested and detained for many years for reporting the truth.
The statement above is aforesited and that of being ungrateful to the Malawi President.
Just few days ago, Misa Malawi Chairperson Tereza Ndanga commended Malawi President Dr Lazarus Chakwera for the press Freedom Malawi is enjoying in the country.
Ndanga, told thousands of viewers at State House that President Chakwera has demonstrated that he is a true statesman who really believe in press freedoms.
Ndanga said during the time of his office, Chakwera has opened the doors of State House through weekly and face the press briefings.
Ndanga commended Malawi President for appointing professionals on his panel of press team saying that has helped in easy coordination.
In conclusion, Nankhumwa should stop attacking the Malawi President, instead he should concentrate on his candidature to win as DPP President where again he is facing resistance from the DPP management inner circle.