The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Malawi chapter has challenged journalists to exercise safety and practice responsible journalism by adhering to all ethical obligations during the elections.
Speaking on Monday, in Salima district, during a one-day orientation workshop on journalism safety and security during elections, MISA Malawi Chairperson, Golden Matonga emphasized the importance of media professionals and media houses to maintain high standards of reporting.
Matonga called for a professional media that shows no affiliation to any political party or leader, but strive to serve the public.
“As we are in the cycle of elections, we need to make sure that our journalists are safe when reporting on various issues without being hindered, harassed, attacked, insulted or losing their materials,” he said.
He revealed that MISA has developed a manual that will be used to train journalists so that they know the protocol to be followed when facing challenges.
Matonga called for a good coordination and collaboration of journalists with police and other security agencies, saying this contributes to successful reporting.
“We have brought police officers on the table today because we know that for journalists to be able to work in a secure and orderly environment, we need our colleagues in the police service.
“We need to erase the possibility of crashes between the media and police by bringing both sides to a roundtable on how both sides are supposed to operate. The conflicts arise because we do not reflect on each other’s roles,” Matonga said.
Concurring with Matonga, Executive Director for Media Council of Malawi (MCM) Moses Kaufa said media practitioners must practice professionalism at all times.
“Safety and security of a journalist falls in all angles. The way you conduct yourself and how the external world treats you. You should be mindful that you are a journalist everywhere you go and people trust and believe in the information you give.
“If you give them wrong information you are helping them make wrong decisions, if you give them right information you help them make right decisions.” He said.
Kaufa said to ensure that journalists are safe during the election period, MCM will collaborate with various stakeholders who will take part in providing security to the journalists during elections.
“We are creating synergies with various partners, security agencies and all electoral stakeholders to make sure that we have a system in place to help us address issues affecting journalists during elections,” he said.
The workshop drew journalists from across the country belonging to various media houses and equipped them, together with police officers with useful information they will utilize for the 2025 forthcoming elections.