MISA Malawi Reports on Successes, Challenges in 2022 and Plans for the Future

Malawi: Chairperson of the Malawi chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) gave a report on the organization's activities and developments over the past year during a virtual meeting on December 31, 2022.

The chairperson, Teresa Ndanga, said one major focus of MISA has been the implementation of various projects, including the development of new partnerships at the local and international levels.

“These partnerships have allowed MISA to broaden its resource base and strengthen its advocacy work,” said Ndanga.

The Misa Malawi Chairperson said the organization has also trained over 220 media practitioners, civil society organizations (CSOs), and security personnel in the past year.

“MISA also celebrated World Press Freedom Day in 2022 with events in the capital, Lilongwe, as well as in Mzuzu and Nkhata Bay. The organization had the opportunity to directly engage with the President of Malawi on the challenges facing the media industry,” said Ndanga.

Ndanga said, despite some positive developments, such as the repeal of retrogressive sedition and insult laws, the state of media freedom in Malawi has faced several challenges.

“These include the closure of television and radio stations, attacks on journalists, a lack of funding for the Human Rights Commission's access to information activities, and the economic downturn affecting the media industry. In addition, the accountability drive at the State House has slowed down, with the holding of "State House weekly briefings" becoming more sporadic,” said Ndanga.

The Misa Malawi Chairperson also announced that elections for the National Governing Council (NGC) will be held on May 5 and 6, 2023, in the Central Region.

Ndanga said: “In order to be eligible to run for an NGC position or to vote, individuals must have been members for two consecutive years, in this case, 2022 and 2023. MISA will also be monitoring any links between candidates and political parties, individuals, or ideologies, and any candidates found to be supported by politicians will not be allowed to continue with the contest.”

The Misa Malawi Chairperson also said the NGC agreed to raise membership fees in order to fund the second phase of construction on the MISA Malawi Training Centre.

The new fees will be K15,000 for geographical community broadcasters and K25,000 for all other members, with the additional funds going towards the construction of the training centre and the establishment of a MISA Malawi School of Journalism.

Ndanga said MISA also plans to continue its work on law reform, strengthen democracy through the safety of journalists, and roll out the second phase of the training centre.