The Media Council of Malawi has urged journalists to strictly adhere to the Media Code of Ethics as one of the essential measures to safeguard themselves while performing their duties, particularly during the election period, when they are exposed to various risks.
MCM Executive Director Moses Kaufa emphasizes that while journalists play a crucial role in providing timely, accurate, and unbiased information, they face significant challenges, particularly during election periods, with regard to their safety and security.
He made the remarks in Mzuzu during a training session focused on journalists’ safety during elections, where media practitioners were equipped with practical skills and actionable strategies to safeguard themselves while carrying out their duties.
Kaufa emphasized the significance of the training, which focused on assisting journalists in developing safety plans, recognizing potential threats, and understanding their rights to navigate this critical period with both confidence and security.
“Today we are discussing how we can reinforce the importance of professionalism and safety from our media organization and personal perspectives; how the Media Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct can be an important tool for our safety during elections and how we can work with law enforcement agencies to ensure our physical safety and security,” he said.
The Executive Director further urged participants to collaborate by sharing experiences and to ensure their voices remain strong throughout the election period.
The training, which brought together media professionals from different media houses and officers from the Malawi Police Service in the north to learn and share best practices in safeguarding press freedom and freedom of expression during the election period, was supported by the National Commission for UNESCO in Malawi.
