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afrol News, 27 September - Malawi President Bakili Muluzi has lashed out at the 'Chronicle' and 'Daily Times' newspapers for what he termed as irresponsible journalism. The two independent newspapers are known for their critical reporting against Mr Muluzi's government. Speaking at a rally the Malawian President addressed in Balaka district, in the south of the country, on 25 September, Muluzi described the 'Daily Times' as a naughty paper whose agenda was questionable. - What's wrong with our 'Daily Times'? What agenda do they have? he charged. Mr Muluzi's remarks follow an article in which the paper quoted Public Affairs Committee (PAC) as contradicting Muluzi's assertions that he founded the group and there was no way it could call him power hungry now. PAC described the president's outbursts as untrue and misleading. PAC is a grouping of religious faiths that helped to catapult the Muluzi administration to power through its role as a human rights watchdog. On 11 September this year, Muluzi accused the 'Chronicle' newspaper of trying to incite civil unrest. The "Chronicle" had quoted a letter written by a sector of the Muslim community threatening a holy war (Jihad) against Christians and their institutions. Mr Muluzi, a practicing Muslim, strongly condemned the paper "but fell short of rebuking the authors of the letter," comments Zoe Titus, researcher at the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA). President Muluzi and his ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) are on a countrywide tour trying to rally people behind the constitutional change to allow him a third term in office. In July this year, Malawi Parliament defeated a bill aimed to delimit the presidential tenure of office.
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