Media Watchdog Condemns "Assault" on Reporter by Wanderers FC Fans
The organization noted this was not an isolated incident, citing a 2023 case where Silver Strikers supporters assaulted a reporter from Kasupe Radio.
LILONGWE, Malawi - The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Malawi chapter has strongly condemned the assault of Television Islam reporter Yasin Limu by three Mighty Mukuru Wanderers Football Club supporters on Sunday, writes Winston Mwale.
The incident occurred just minutes into a Super League of Malawi game between Wanderers FC and Kamuzu Barracks FC at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
During the assault, a TV Islam camera tripod and Limu's wristwatch were damaged.
According to MISA Malawi Chairperson Golden Matonga, the assault happened when the supporters were chasing sports reporters out of an area normally reserved for media covering games at the stadium.
Two of the three assailants were identified as Dolf and Harry.
"Barbaric acts against journalists in their line of duty should not be tolerated," Matonga stated in a press release on Monday.
"What the three supporters did is a violation of media freedom and the right to access information, fundamental rights enshrined in the Malawi Constitution."
MISA Malawi demanded disciplinary action against the supporters by the club and called for the Malawi Police to investigate, arrest and prosecute the assailants.
The organization noted this was not an isolated incident, citing a 2023 case where Silver Strikers supporters assaulted a reporter from Kasupe Radio.
The media watchdog urged football authorities, including the Football Association of Malawi, Super League of Malawi, and club administrators, to take decisive action against individuals "creating an environment of fear and intimidation for sports reporters and bringing the game into disrepute."