MISA Malawi partners with MBS to train journalists on standards reporting

Malawi-The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Malawi, in partnership with the Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS), is conducting a two-day media training workshop in standards and quality reporting in Lilongwe on Monday, February 20, and Tuesday, February 21, 2023, writes Esther Banda.

The workshop aims to equip journalists with knowledge of the mandate and operations of the MBS in ensuring the standards and quality of products and services.

In an interview with AfricaBrief, Thomas Senganimalunje, the Acting Director General of MBS, stated that the media must be able to isolate and understand that there are several regulators in the country who operate in different spaces.

He emphasized the importance of presenting technical information in an easy-to-understand way, saying, "Our work is quite technical in nature, and the media has the skills to present the information in a manner that is easy to understand by the general public."

Senganimalunje added that the MBS is there to help all manufacturers, including small and medium enterprises (SMEs), certify their goods and help the industry trade locally and internationally.

He explained, "Where we have issues of non-compliance, the general public does report to us, and we do take action like closing shops, disposing of goods, and imposing fines, just to name a few."

Mandy Pondani, MISA Malawi Chapter Vice Chairperson, applauded the MBS for the engagement, as it is vital to address knowledge gaps among journalists.

The MBS urges the general public to report standards and quality-related malpractices to the MBS directly through Facebook, Twitter, email, a toll-free number (462) that Airtel can access, TNM and other telecom providers.

They can also report to the nearest police station and to district trade officers.