Media Institute for Southern Africa-MISA Malawi Chapter has criticized Minister of Finance Sosten Gwengwe and Minister Energy Minister Ibrahim Matola for allegedly ill-treating MIJ FM journalist Cathy Maulidi.

The two allegedly accused Maulidi of being sent by the opposition during Government Faces the Press.

In a statement made available to faceofmalawi, MISA Malawi Chairperson Teresa Ndanga has described the conduct of two Ministers as threat to media freedom in the country.

“MISA Malawi is deeply concerned with government’s increased hostility towards the media and critics.

“It is even more worrying that members of the Cabinet whose duties include upholding the Constitution are in the forefront violating constitutional provisions they are meant to protect,” said Ndanga.

She added: “On Wednesday, April 6, 2022, Minister of Energy Honourable Ibrahim Matola verbally attacked Malawi Institute of Journalism (MIJ) FM reporter Cathy Maulidi during Government Faces the Press. The Minister accused Maulidi of being an agent of the opposition for simply asking question on government’s plan on fuel prices.

“On March 23, 2022, Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs Honourable Sosten Gwengwe also threatened to walk out of an interview over a similar question and insinuated that someone had sent Maulidi to ask him questions.”

Effort to talk to Minister Information Gospel Kazako proved futile.