Malawi Constitutional Court received praise from the Committee to Protect Journalists after judges eliminated the nation's criminal defamation statute. The court ruled Section 200 of the Penal Code violated constitutional principles on July 16. Joshua Chisa Mbele initiated legal proceedings in 2022 following criminal charges related to his social media posts about a military leader. Judges determined the statute created unreasonable restrictions on constitutional freedoms. The ruling mandated cessation of all related prosecutions.
Africa program coordinator Muthoki Mumo from CPJ celebrated the decision as progress for democratic expression. Media organizations and civil society advocates urged authorities to accept the judgment without appeal. The groups demanded reform of additional restrictive legislation that limits journalistic work. Section 60 criminalizes false news publication while the Electronic Transactions and Cyber Security Act penalizes unauthorized information sharing with potential five-year prison terms. Malawi previously eliminated criminal sanctions for presidential insults in 2022 but maintained penalties for other state symbol violations.
Africa program coordinator Muthoki Mumo from CPJ celebrated the decision as progress for democratic expression. Media organizations and civil society advocates urged authorities to accept the judgment without appeal. The groups demanded reform of additional restrictive legislation that limits journalistic work. Section 60 criminalizes false news publication while the Electronic Transactions and Cyber Security Act penalizes unauthorized information sharing with potential five-year prison terms. Malawi previously eliminated criminal sanctions for presidential insults in 2022 but maintained penalties for other state symbol violations.
