Malawi President Mutharika warns ‘disrespectful’ media

Malawi President Bingu wa Mutharika has in an astonishing broadside at perceived opponents including the country’s media warned them to desist from insulting him or they would be “properly dealt with by the law”.A press release signed by State House press officer Albert Mungomo said that Malawi law provides for the “total respect and protection” of the country’s leader and that the authorities would no longer stand by and watch as the President of the Republic of Malawi was ridiculed.According to the release, Section 3 (2) of the protected Flag, Emblems and Names in the constitution states that “Any person who does any act or utters any words or publishes any writing calculated to or liable to insult or to show disrespect to or with respect to or with reference to the President…shall be liable to a fine of 1000 pounds and to imprisonment for two (2) years.”“The laws of Malawi provide for the total respect and protection of the President. His Excellency Ngwazi Professor Bingu wa Mutharika is therefore protected by that law,” added the statement dated March 8.The presidency appeared to be reacting to media criticism of Mr Mutharika’s governance and economic record that has seen protests, including one in July that left 19 people dead.The statement termed stories and headlines like “Bingu gets grilled”, “Government barks at nothing” and “An arrogant Bingu” as nothing but sensational and irresponsible writing only designed to provoke “certain quarters of the society”.Mr Mungomo said that some popular social networks that carry unflattering articles and comments about the President were also being carefully monitored.“State House wishes therefore to make it blatantly clear that it will not standby and condone this impudence but will ensure that those that continue to do so are properly dealt with by the law.”