Press freedom group Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has condemned the attack of Malawian journalist Yasin Limu by supporters of one of the country’s top football teams, urging the authorities Thursday to take action against the perpetrators.
Limu was allegedly assaulted by three supporters of Mighty Mukuru Wanderers FC during a Super League match against Kamuzu Barracks FC at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre on April 7.
According to the Malawi chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), the three allegedly singled out Limu and a few other journalists from the press section of the stadium and ordered them to leave without explaining the reasons for their action.
Two of the three men allegedly shoved Limu, a reporter with the privately owned TV Islam Malawi, and hit him in the face with his own tripod, according to MISA.
The reporter had to seek treatment for a swollen face and injured jaw at a local hospital.
CPJ Africa programme coordinator Muthoki Mumo called on Malawian authorities to ensure sports journalists “do not have to fear of violence from football fans whenever they cover a match.”
“Authorities should investigate the assault of Yasin Limu, and the Football Association of Malawi and Confederation of African Football should act to ensure journalists can report on matches safely,” Mumo said from Nairobi, Kenya.
He urged the sport’s governing bodies to take concrete steps to deter future attacks against journalists.
Wanderers FC board directors Chancy Gondwe and David Kanyenda have apologized to Limu and paid TV Islam Malawi 100,000 kwacha (US$58) to repair the tripod and wristwatch, the journalist told CPJ.
Limu becomes the latest Malawian journalist to be assaulted by football fans while on duty. In August, Silver Strikers Football Club supporters assaulted Kasupe Radio reporter Smart Chalika as he photographed a scuffle between rival fans at Bingu National Stadium in the capital Lilongwe.
JN/APA