Malawian journo pulled from China media tour

An embassy official, David Zhang, confirmed having received instructions from the Ministry of Information and Civic Education to remove Chimgwede's name from the list.

"The reporters were nominated by the Ministry of Information. We are sponsoring the trip, but we are working hand in hand with the Ministry of Information. The list is repeatedly revised," said Zhang.

There was no immediate comment from Information and Civic Education Minister Patricia Kaliati and her deputy John Bande as their mobile phones were switched off.

According to Chimgwede, embassy officials called him on the evening of 18 June to inform him of the development. Chimgwede said he was surprised because earlier in the day the officials had asked for his passport to insert a visa.

Chimgwede, who is also a MISA Malawi chapter board member, explained that the officials apologised to him, saying they tried to lobby on his behalf, but the Ministry of Information put its foot down.

Backgrounnd

At a 17 June 2008 press briefing, Kaliati accused Chimgwede of circulating a document allegedly issued by the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) aimed at denting the government's image.

Reports indicated that Chimgwede forwarded the alleged document from Nyasanet, a Malawian online discussion list on the MISA Malawi chapter's interactive forum.

Malawi early this year terminated its 40-year-old bilateral relationship with Taiwan in favour of China. China pledged to take over the projects that were being financed by Taiwan.

The media trip to China is one of a series of visits the embassy is organising for different stakeholders in the country to strengthen the new ties between China and Malawi.

Article published courtesy of MISA