MISA Malawi has implicated police officers as prime suspects in the hacking of a website for Platform for Investigative Journalism-PIJ on Thursday.

The development has left readers unable to access the media outlet as of Friday this week.

In a statement, Chairperson for the media body, Teresa Ndanga describes this as a blatant attack on journalism, the right to information, and a criminal offense.

She adds the continued attacks on journalists are tarnishing the country’s image on press freedom.

Ndanga further calls on journalists, lawyers, and members of society to remain vigilant in protecting media freedom; adding authorities should investigate the matter.

The incident comes nine days after police officers arrested PIJ Executive Director Gregory Gondwe and confiscated his mobile phone and laptops. They pushed him to disclose the source of information on a story they published.

Police are yet to comment while earlier, Information Minister Gospel Kazako regretted Gondwe’s arrest as Attorney General Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda reportedly apologized for the incident.