By Wadza Botomani
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is facing condemnation for a targeted campaign of intimidation against Times journalist Wonder Msiska, in what observers call a desperate attempt to control the election narrative. The party has resorted to naming and shaming individuals it perceives as critical, with Msiska becoming a primary victim.
The threats escalated when DPP official Leonard Chimbanga issued a direct ultimatum to Msiska on Facebook, warning him to apologize within 20 minutes or face severe consequences. Chimbanga’s post included blatantly bullying language, stating, “I can unbundle you in minutes. Don’t play with me.”
In a further act of intimidation, the DPP’s official page published a photo of a house allegedly being purchased by Msiska, insinuating corrupt ties to the opposing Malawi Congress Party (MCP) in an effort to discredit his reporting. The post was written in Chichewa, directly appealing to the public to distrust the journalist.
Media advocates have slammed the actions as a dangerous assault on press freedom. Such direct threats and public shaming create a climate of fear designed to force journalists into self-censorship and partisan reporting. The targeting of Wonder Msiska represents a severe threat to the integrity of the media and the democratic process in Malawi, where journalists must be protected to perform their duties without fear of retribution.
