(NYASATIMES) Nyasa Times can't silence me, says Kaliati
Nyasa Times can't silence me, says Kaliati
By Praise Liomba 31 December, 2008 03:04:00
Malawi Minister of Information and Civic Education , Patricia Kaliati has said despite the popularity that the on-line publication, Nyasa Times is getting among Malawians, both at home and in the diaspora, it can't silence or destroy her.
Reacting to the story published on Nyasa Times, which exposed her sadistic antics that she is using the mobile phone company, Zain Malawi to spy on her cabinet colleagues, opposition leaders, senior police and army officers and business people, Kaliati, who was not very clear on the allegations, told the state controlled MBC that she was not cowed or intimidated by Nyasa Times and its locally based journalists.
"Whatever you write about me, will not change me," said the loose tounged politician.
"You can't kill me. Am a carefree person. You are dealing with a wrong person. I can't even fail in my constituency through your fake reports. I will fight you back," said Kaliati.
She said she was happy serving the government of "Ngwazi" President Bingu Wa Mutharika and had no time to "waste" with what she called "propaganda machine."
Kaliati, who sounded nervous and exposed following the publication of the allegations, said she was being promoted through Nyasa Times.
Labels: NYASA TIMES, PATRICIA KALIATI
Read more...
Mutharika: Using one option, to block the website
In what amounts to suffocation of freedom of expression, the Government of Malawi is blocking access to the Nyasa Times newspaper website.
President Ngwazi Bingu wa Mutharika ordered state security to ensure online publication, Nyasa Times website is blocked and internet services providers in Malawi are under threat following the order.
The internet service providers are blocking the websites’ IP-address, following a stories Nyasa Times have published exposing Mutharika in corrupt deals and about his health problem.
The blocking of the online publication will revive concerns about the country's attitude towards internet censorship and press freedom.
Security forces are trying to monitor or restrict access to Nyasa Times by government computers.
Some “senior officials” have instructed IT personnel to monitor civil servants visits to “forbidden web pages” such as Nyasa Times.
Mutharika has accused former president Dr Bakili Muluzi for “spreading lies” through Nyasa Times and Nyasanet discussion forum on the subject of his prostate cancer.
Service providers are trying hard to hack the Nyasa Times website so that it cannot be accessed within Malawi.
Nyasa Times editorial management said they working on a “tangible plan” to by-pass the government draconian exercise.
Under the regime of President Mutharika, Malawians media has suffered great oppression.
Critics of the authorities are systematically pressured into withholding their views, and journalists criticizing the government are often intimidated and harassed.
Labels: BINGU WA MUTHARIKA, FREEDOM OF SPEECH, NYASA TIMES
Read more...
