Malawi: CPJ Welcomes Defamation Decriminalization in Malawi

Unlike Nigeria, Malawi decriminalises defamation

The court argued that although safeguarding individuals’ reputations is important, imprisoning someone for defamation is an excessive measure.

Malawi court praised for decision declaring crime of defamation unconstitutional

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) praised the High Court of Malawi’s unanimous decision on Monday, which decriminalized the former crime of defamation. CPJ spokesperson, Muthoki Mumo, said: Malawi’s Constitutional Court has taken a monumental step towards protecting press freedom and affirmed that criticism and dissent are essential to democracy by ruling criminal defamation to be unconstitutional […] Authorities should immediately comp…

Malawi: CPJ Welcomes Defamation Decriminalization in Malawi

Lusaka -- The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes the Malawi Constitutional Court's landmark July 16 ruling striking down section 200 of the penal code criminalizing defamation.

CPJ welcomes defamation decriminalization in Malawi - Committee to Protect Journalists

Lusaka, July 21, 2025—The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes the Malawi Constitutional Court’s landmark July 16 ruling striking down section 200 of the penal code criminalizing defamation. “Malawi’s Constitutional Court has taken a monumental step towards protecting press freedom and affirmed that criticism and dissent are essential to democracy by ruling criminal defamation to be unconstitutional,” said Muthoki Mumo, CPJ’s Africa program…

Nigeria Must Learn from Malawi: End the Weaponisation of Speech Laws - Security News Alert

By Okechukwu Nwanguma In a historic ruling that affirms the primacy of free speech in a democracy, the Constitutional Court of Malawi on July 16 declared Section 200 of its Penal Code—criminalising defamation—unconstitutional. The court’s decision rightly affirmed that while the protection of individual reputations is important, the use of criminal sanctions—especially imprisonment—to police speech […] The post Nigeria Must Learn from Malawi: En…

CPJ commends Malawi court for decriminalising defamation Malawi 24 | Latest News from Malawi

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has applauded the Malawi Constitutional Court for striking down the country’s criminal defamation law, calling it a major victory for press freedom and democratic expression. On July 16, the court declared Section 200 of the Penal Code unconstitutional, following a 2022 legal challenge by social media activist Joshua Chisa […] The post CPJ commends Malawi court for decriminalising defamation appeared fi…