By Jones Gadama
As Malawi approaches the September 16 General Elections, the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Malawi chapter is emphasizing the importance of people-centered reporting.
MISA Malawi Chairperson Golden Matonga stressed the need for journalists to prioritize the concerns and interests of the people in their coverage of the elections.
Matonga made these remarks while opening a training session on voter-centered news reportage, conducted in partnership with the DW Akademie, a leading German media knowledge transfer institution.
Matonga warned journalists against becoming pawns in the game of politics, where politicians might try to manipulate them for their own gain. “Elections are a big business, and politicians can work to abuse journalists. Be objective,” he urged.
This cautionary advice highlights the challenges journalists face in maintaining their independence and objectivity during election periods.
The training session aims to equip journalists with the skills necessary to produce high-quality, people-centered reporting that prioritizes the needs and concerns of voters.
By focusing on the issues that matter most to the public, journalists can help foster a more informed and engaged citizenry, essential for a healthy democracy.
People-centered reporting involves shifting the focus from politicians and party politics to the concerns and experiences of ordinary citizens. This approach can help promote accountability, foster engagement, and enhance credibility.
Journalists who prioritize people-centered reporting are more likely to build trust with their audience and contribute to a more informed public discourse.
MISA Malawi has been actively working to combat misinformation and promote media integrity in the lead-up to the elections.
The organization recently launched the iVerify initiative, a fact-checking tool designed to identify and mitigate the spread of false information.
This initiative is crucial in maintaining the integrity of the electoral process and ensuring that citizens have access to accurate and reliable information.
Journalists in Malawi face various challenges, including attacks and harassment by politicians and their supporters.
MISA Malawi has documented cases of journalists being assaulted or intimidated while covering political events. Despite these challenges, journalists have a critical role to play in ensuring that the elections are credible and reflect the will of the people.
As Malawi prepares for the General Elections, the role of journalists in promoting democracy and accountability is more critical than ever.
By prioritizing people-centered reporting and maintaining their independence and objectivity, journalists can help to ensure that the elections are free, fair, and transparent. MISA Malawi’s efforts to promote media integrity and combat misinformation are essential in supporting the democratic process and protecting the rights of citizens to access accurate and reliable information.
In the words of Golden Matonga, “Journalists have a critical role to play in ensuring that the elections are credible and reflect the will of the people.”
By upholding the principles of people-centered reporting and media integrity, journalists can make a positive impact on the democratic process and contribute to the development of a more informed and engaged citizenry.
