Yesterday, January 9, the Media Institute of Southern Africa - Mozambican Chapter (MISA Mozambique) witnessed an attempt by the Police of the Republic of Mozambique at Mavalane Airport in Maputo to ban journalists from freely covering the arrival of politician Venâncio Mondlane, months after he had been out of the country.

The journalists would have gone to Mavalane Airport at the public invitation of Venâncio Mondlane himself and his communication structure; an act which, at no time, was indicated as being unsafe by the Police of the Republic of Mozambique itself.

Strangely, moments before Venâncio Mondlane's arrival, the media professionals were barred by the airport management and the police on the grounds that they did not have the necessary credentials to carry out their activities at the time. According to the airport administration, the coverage was classified as a "sensitive activity" that would require prior authorization.

However, MISA found that no media outlet was informed in advance of the need for accreditation, something that should have been communicated in advance if there was a special security protocol.

MISA also knows that the requirement does not correspond to the usual practice at Maputo International Airport as, on several occasions, journalists have been allowed to cover the arrivals and departures of public figures and events of various kinds without any additional restrictions being imposed.

The attitude taken by the airport's management not only disrespects the work of journalists, but also infringes on the freedom of the press, guaranteed by the Constitution of the Republic of Mozambique, Article 48, and by the Press Law, specifically Articles 2 and 27, which offer journalists the right to free "access to sources of information; access and permanence in public places where it becomes necessary to exercise the profession; and not to be detained, removed or in any way prevented from carrying out their respective mission in the place where their presence as an information professional is required".

MISA Mozambique considers that this incident called into question the rights of journalists and, on the other hand, was a deliberate action by its actors to exert veiled threats against them and restrict their free coverage of the event. (Communiqué)