The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Malawi Chapter has asked the Malawi Police Service (MPS) to unconditionally release journalist Macmillan Mhone.

Mhone, a former Malawi24 journalist now working for Nation Publications Limited, was invited for questioning and was arrested and detained on arrival at Blantyre Police Station in the morning of Monday, April 8, 2024.

The story in question involves businessman Abdul Karim Batatawala and some police sources say Mhone has been charged with “publication of news likely to cause fear or public alarm”.

The lawyer handling the matter Joseph Lihoma hinted on police moving Mhone from Blantyre to Lilongwe for court appearance.

But MISA Malawi Chairperson Golden Matonga has described the arrest as unfortunate.

“As MISA we believe that the story in question does not in any way cause fear or public alarm

“We therefore demand immediate and unconditional release of Mhone and we believe that arresting and detaining a journalist over a story is a violation of media freedom and the public’s right to know,” reads part of the statement.

Effort to talk to MPS National Spokesperson Peter Kalaya proved futile.