MISA Mozambique condemns the inaction of the President of the Republic (PR), Filipe Nyusi, in the face of recurrent violations of press freedom by his security guards.

This follows the most recent reprimand of a journalist from the community radio station Parapato, in Angoche, Nampula province. He was prevented by a presidential security guard from broadcasting the Eid ul-Fitr ceremony, which marked the end of Ramadan, with the participation of the PR, all because he was broadcasting the event via Facebook using a cell phone.

The duly accredited journalist had already been approached once before by a member of the organizing committee about the ban on using cell phones as a media resource at events where the PR is present. However, he explained that this was because he didn't have professional cameras.

"MISA Mozambique is deeply concerned about the attitude of the security guards of the President of the Republic, not only because this is a flagrant violation of press freedom and the right to information, but also because of the quality of those involved. In fact, in addition to the presidential guards, MISA is also concerned about the inaction of the President of the Republic in the face of this and other violations of freedom of the press and the right to information carried out by his security guards," it reads.

In a statement, the institution recalls that the presidential guard has been maintaining this intimidating stance for some time, such as the case in September 2023, when a sports journalist was assaulted.

"The reason for the attack was the same as that which led to the interruption of Radio Parapato's broadcast last week: the use of a cell phone. MISA does not understand how, in the middle of the third decade of the 21st century, there are still presidential guards who do not understand the effects of technological developments on journalism and, worse, that there are presidents who are indifferent to low-class violations. MISA takes this opportunity to remind us that in these days of high technical and technological progress, the cell phone is no longer just an instrument of interpersonal communication," reports MISA Mozambique.