Raphael Tenthani Explained

Raphael Tenthani
Birth Date:1 October 1971
Birth Place:Malawi
Death Date:Saturday 16 May 2015
Death Place:Kammwamba, Zalewa Road, Neno Malawi
Occupation:journalist
Correspondent, columnist
Credits:BBC, The Sunday Times

Raphael "Ralph" Tenthani (1 October 1971 – 16 May 2015) [1] was a freelance journalist from Malawi. Tenthani was a BBC correspondent and a columnist for The Sunday Times.[2] [3] He was a respected journalist in Malawi well known for his popular column, "The Muckraking".[4] He was well known for providing political analysis on topical issues.[5] He had been the subject of controversy for his candid reporting on political issues.[6] He was very critical of the crackdown on journalism during the Bingu wa Mutharika administration. He was also a columnist for Associated Press, Pan African News Agency, and the Maravi Post.[7]

"Muckraking on Sunday"Column

Tenthani was a columnist for the nationally circulated newspaper, Sunday Times. He wrote a popular regular column called "Muckrakings" that was, at times, controversial.[8] In 2010, he was attacked by the ruling DPP party spokesperson for writing a 'Muckracking column that was sympathetic to ostracized vice-president Joyce Banda, who was facing political isolation from President Bingu wa Mutharika. When Tenthani was in the hospital after a car accident in 2011, he received a visit from then vice-president Joyce Banda at the hospital. He has again been by Malawi's flagship online news Nyasa Times as its 'person of the year' for 2014 [9]

Mutharika Administration Attacks

Haunted House Arrest

In 2005, he reported in a news article that the President had moved out of the presidential palace due to a fear of ghosts. In his article, he sourced the president's religious affairs adviser, the Rev. Malani Mtonga, who had reported that President Bingu wa Mutharika had left the presidential palace because he was hearing "strange noises" and "felt a strange presence hanging around him" at night. Rev. Mtonga denied making that statement to the press but another independent journalist, Mabvuto Banda reported the same story in The Nation.[10] Mr. Tenthani and Mabvuto Banda were both arrested. Both were arrested at their homes in Blantyre and detained at police headquarters in Lilongwe. He was going to be charged with "publishing false information that is likely to cause [a] breach of peace".[11] He was released on bail shortly after.[12]

Criticism of Press freedom Crackdown

During the Bingu wa Mutharika administration, he became to target of attacks from the government due to his criticism of Mutharika and freedom of the press. Tenthani's house was ransacked by an unknown assailant in 2011, following the Malawi protests against the Mutharika administration.[13]

At the height of Mutharika's crackdown on the press, he was indirectly named in a press release to the nation for being critical dated March 9, 2012, that aimed at suppressing the press. The press release referred to journalists in the country that referred to Mutharika as "Big Kahuna", a pejorative nickname that made reference to the President's increasingly dictatorial turn.[14] Tenthani denied that this was being used to refer to Mutharika pejoratively.[15]

Awards

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Raphael Tenthani. Tom. Sangala. May 19, 2015.
  2. Web site: Reporters held over 'haunted house' story released. Claire Cozens. the Guardian.
  3. Web site: Malawi's BBC journo Tenthani hospitalised after car crash | Malawi news, Malawi - NyasaTimes breaking online news source from Malawi . 2012-12-04 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111204222939/http://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi/2011/12/03/malawi%E2%80%99s-bbc-journo-tenthani-hospitalised-after-car-crash/ . 2011-12-04 .
  4. Web site: Malawi failed state indeed – columnist | Malawi news, Malawi - NyasaTimes breaking online news source from Malawi . 2012-12-05 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120125214155/http://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi/2012/01/22/malawi-failed-state-indeed-%E2%80%93-columnist/ . 2012-01-25 .
  5. Web site: Seasoned Journalists offer Advice on Common Mistakes by Cabinet Ministers-Don't Over Praise. Malawi Voice. 2012-12-04. https://web.archive.org/web/20131231000631/http://www.malawivoice.com/2012/05/01/seasoned-journalists-offer-advice-on-common-mistakes-by-cabinet-ministers-dont-over-praise-32367/. 2013-12-31. dead.
  6. http://www.fesmedia-africa.org/home/what-is-news/statements-developments/news/article/malawi-dpp-publicity-secretary-attacks-journalist-over-column/ Fesmedia Africa: Malawi: DPP publicity secretary attacks journalist over column
  7. Web site: You are being redirected.... https://archive.today/20130128064843/http://www.maravipost.com/life-and-style/people/2325-maravi-post-s-raphael-tenthani-survives-70-meters-into-the-womb-of-earth.html. dead. January 28, 2013. www.maravipost.com.
  8. Web site: Joyce Banda visits bed-ridden Tenthani. Malawi Nyasa Times - Malawi breaking news in Malawi.
  9. Web site: Nyasa Times 'Person of the Year' goes to Malawi media and Tenthani Malawi Nyasa Times – Malawi breaking news in Malawi. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150101091729/http://www.nyasatimes.com/2014/12/31/nyasa-times-person-of-the-year-goes-to-malawi-media-and-tenthani/. 2015-01-01.
  10. Web site: World Association of Newspapers. wan-press.org.
  11. Web site: Journalists ordered to report to police in 14 days, presidential aide released unconditionally. IFEX.
  12. Web site: Malawi: 2005 . Committee to Protect Journalists.
  13. Web site: Spotlight on Malawi – Death threats issued for civil rights leaders as thugs attack BBC correspondent. Newstime Africa.
  14. Web site: Malawi: State House Warns Journalists Against Discrediting President Mutharika | FAIR. https://archive.today/20130221121444/http://fairreporters.net/2012/03/12/malawi-state-house-warns-journalists-human-rights-defenders-against-discrediting-president-mutharika/. dead. February 21, 2013.
  15. Web site: The censor cometh but Tenthani says 'Big Kahuna' doesn't belittle Mutharika. https://archive.today/20130128054032/http://www.maravipost.com/malawi-news/malawi-political/607-the-censor-cometh-but-tenthani-says-%E2%80%98big-kahuna%E2%80%99-doesn%E2%80%99t-belittle-mutharika.html. dead. 28 January 2013. www.maravipost.com. 7 December 2012.
  16. http://www.misa.org/index.php/2012-04-30-09-04-14/2006/item/351-bnl-times-sweeps-misa-awards/351-bnl-times-sweeps-misa-awards?start=480
  17. Web site: Malawian journalist helps AP win award. bizcommunity.com.
  18. Web site: Decision Makers - Media house awards Malawi Veep Joyce Banda 'Person of the Year 2010' accolade.

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