This is the second time in less than three months a journalist has been arrested in the Southern African country.

An appeal has been sent to Malawian authorities to stop using cybercrime laws to target journalists.

The International Press Institute (IPI) filed the appeal following Macmillan Mhone's release on bail following his detention on such accusations for an article published in August 2023.

Mhone, an employee of Nations Public Limited's online news site, was held by the Blantyre police's Cyber Crime Division on April 8.

Mhone's detention arises from a story published by Malawi24, the online news site where he was working at the time.

The news report alleged that businessman, Abdul Karim Batatwala, was using proxy businesses to bypass a court order preventing him from conducting business with the government due to corruption and fraud charges.

Authorities reportedly charged him with “cyber spamming”, “publication of news likely to cause fear or public alarm”, and “extortion” under Malawi’s Electronic Transactions and Cyber Security Act.

Additionally, police transferred Mhone from Blantyre to Lilongwe Police Headquarters, 300 kilometers away from his home and family.

This is the second time in less than three months that press freedom has come under attack in the Southern African country.

In February, journalist Gregory Gondwe was reportedly threatened after he allegedly exposed corruption related to the supply of military equipment.

“The continued targeting of journalists in Malawi for exposing corruption is a cause for concern,” said Nompilo Simanje, IPI Africa advocacy and partnerships Lead.

“Authorities must allow the media to perform its watchdog role without fear of reprisals. Police should instead channel resources toward investigating alleged corruption.”

The Media Institute of Southern Africa has also demanded Mhone’s release.