MISA Malawi Urges Journalists to Promote Truth, Fight Misinformation on World Radio Day

Malawi: On the occasion of World Radio Day, celebrated under the theme of "Radio and Peace," the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Malawi Chapter has called on journalists and radio stations in the country to use their platforms to promote truth and fight against increasing cases of disinformation, misinformation, and hate content.

In a statement, MISA Malawi Chairperson Teresa Temweka Ndanga said, "Information aired on radio reaches millions of listeners, and therefore it has to be accurate and grounded in journalistic principles of truth, objectivity, and balance. Sharing of inaccurate information has the potential to fuel conflicts."

Ndanga urged radio stations to invest more in fact-checking and peacebuilding by developing content that is independent of any political and commercial inclinations and free from hate speech.

"Production of relevant programs that reflect diversity in political, religious, and cultural opinions and independent news reporting provide a favourable environment for peacebuilding, sustainable democracy, and good governance," she added.

MISA Malawi also called on radio stations to adopt media house policies that support peacebuilding and the production of content that reflects a diversity of views and opinions.

"Let us use radio to shape public opinion and frame the narrative of peace," Ndanga said.