MISA Malawi Continues Pushing for Full Operationalization of ATI

Lilongwe, Malawi - The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA Malawi) and the European Union (EU) partnered to host a panel discussion on "Access to Information in Malawi" to commemorate the 30th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) on May 3, 2023, writes Esther Banda.

MISA Malawi Chairperson, Teresa Ndanga, emphasized the importance of demanding information from public offices, stating, "It is very important and high time that Malawians from both rural and urban areas start demanding information from public offices because it is their right to access to information."

EU Ambassador to Malawi, Rune Skinnebach, noted that the Access to Information (ATI) Act was not only intended for journalists but also for common citizens, highlighting the need for its full operationalization.

He said, "When we are talking about access to information, there is both a matter of implementation and utilization. It is important to stress that the ATI Act is not only meant for journalists, it's for common citizens. It was meant to ensure transparency and accountability, and I don't think it's been put to full use."

The Head of the ATI Unit at Malawi Human Rights Commission, Chance Kalolokeska, acknowledged the progress made in implementing the law but cited insufficient funds as a hindrance to their work.

He explained, "We need K500,000,000 so that we can be able to carry out awareness activities, and train the information officers, but also to be able to have a database of all information holders in the country."

Phoebe Kasoga, Country Director for Plan International Malawi, highlighted the need to address challenges such as license fees and the use of visual aids for effective information dissemination.

She said, "It is very important to understand that as a country we have some audience that does not read and write and needs visual aids. They might hear voices, but it will be very difficult for them if they don't have a radio. But the information that is enabled by visual aids might be beneficial so that people can look at visual aids and be able to make sense."

This year's WPFD was celebrated under the theme "Shaping a future of rights and freedom as a driver for all other human rights."

As such, MISA Malawi remains committed to promoting press freedom and the full operationalization of the ATI Act in Malawi.