The Media Council of Malawi (MCM) has called on media professionals to maintain high standards of professionalism and prioritize their safety during the upcoming elections.
As part of its media house monitoring visits in the Central Region, the Council visited Bembeke FM in Dedza, Yetu FM in Dowa, as well as Nkhotakota Community Radio and Umunthu FM in Nkhotakota. The visits aimed to assess the progress made by these institutions following recent capacity-building workshops conducted by MCM, gain insight into their daily operations, and provide guidance on upholding professional standards throughout the election period.
During the engagements, MCM Executive Director Moses Kaufa emphasized the importance of professionalism in preventing the spread of misinformation. He also encouraged media practitioners to familiarize themselves with the Media Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and relevant electoral laws such as the Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government Elections Act, Access to Information Act, Data Protection Act and the Political Parties Act to ensure accuracy, credibility, and integrity in their reporting during this critical time.
“Knowing these legal documents enables journalists to make informed decisions about what information to publish, critically assess political promises, and ultimately help the public make well-informed electoral choices.”
Kaufa further advised staff from the media houses to establish strong working relationships with the police to enhance their safety, particularly when operating in potentially hostile environments. He stressed the importance of prioritizing personal well-being, reminding them that no story is worth endangering their lives.
The Council also urged the institutions to adopt effective resource mobilization strategies to strengthen their long-term sustainability.
Umunthu FM General Manager Edward Kuwacha commended the Media Council of Malawi for the visit, highlighting the importance of professionalism and sustainability in the media industry. He affirmed that the station will take deliberate steps to implement the key recommendations discussed, with a focus on maintaining high professional standards and ensuring the institution’s sustainability throughout the upcoming election period.
“They’ve also reminded us of some of the key areas which could help us to make sure that we are sustainable enough that we will not depend much on the adverts as there is so much competition. We will venture into projects that could help us raise resources that will help in sustaining the institution,” said Kuwacha.
These visits are part of a UNESCO-funded project under the International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC), aimed at strengthening the capacity of community media houses to operate sustainably.
