Malawi President Bingu wa Mutharika has told BBC that freedom of the press and speech is key part of democracy but should be balanced with responsibility.
BBC was interviewing Mutharika as part of celebrations for the BBC World Service's 75th anniversary.
Sarah Grainger asked President Mutharika; Would you say freedom of the press, freedom of speech is a key part of the democracy, is that important?
Mutharika in his reply acknowledged that freedom of speech was an essence of democracy.
"Absolutely, I think people should learn to respect freedom of speech, its part of democracy," said Mutharika.
"But of course with every freedom there is a right, we are saying that those who exercise freedom of expression should also respect the right of others," he said.
The Malawi leader said freedom of the press should not trump upon other rights.
"One should not go and create a story to destroy somebody’s name in the name of freedom of speech and if that person responds you say he is muzzling the press," he said.
Mutharika called for a balancing act over the rights.
"I think there must be a balance because alongside the freedom of speech, there is also freedom of security, freedom of privacy. These must be balanced," Mutharika said in the BBC interview.
The World Service celebrates its 75th birthday on the 19th December.
Asked whether he listen to BBC, the Malawi Head of State said he was a keen follower of BBC.
"Yes, I do Iisten to BBC almost every morning sometimes also in the Focus on Africa when I get time. Certainly most of the time I am busy but early in the morning starting from 5.30 in the morning our time, I listen to every day," he said.
The Malawi leader said he has found BBC to be not only informative but also very educating.
"I would say independent thinking, that also objective," he said, adding "so because of that normally when I get some news items from somewhere else I would cross what is BBC saying. And I also watch BBC World Service on the television," Mutharika said.
However, on the local scene, there have been complaints about political interference in the management of national broadcaster MBC under alleged influence of the President.
Journalists have reportedly been taken off assignments after covering President Mutharika for "not reporting favorably enough."
There have also been reports of new reporters being instructed on what questions to ask at presidential press briefings.
Nonetheless, there are still existing laws that are deterrents such the Protected Emblems and Names Act. The act prohibits insulting the president and threatens violators with fines and prison terms.
Executive Director of Canadian based Committee to Protect Journalist (CPJ), Joel Simon slammed Malawi authorities when the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) directed all private media broadcasting outlets to seek advance permission from them before conducting live broadcasts.
Simon described the order to amount to "censorship" that will distort coverage of the presidential election campaign in the run up to 2009 polls.
The ruling apparently was targeting Joy Radio, which is linked to former president Dr Bakili Muluzi whose party structures have endorsed his presidential candidature for 2009 elections.
Joy Television a sister company to the radio was taken off the air recently by authorities.
The media watchdog said the developments would undermine the democratic credentials of Malawi as the country prepares for elections.
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