By Chisomo Phiri
Titus Linzie of Youth Net and Counseling (YONECO) FM has on Saturday December 16,2023 been re-elected the president of Zomba Press Club after he went unopposed at the club’s elective annual general meeting took place in Salima.
Phalombe-based Zodiak Broadcasting Station journalist Ronnex Chiwanda has been elected as the vice-president after beating Chanco Community Radio’s Tiyamike Mao Njanji with 17 votes to 13.
The club also elected freelancers Peter Ngwenyama and Hawa Malishe who went unopposed as general secretary and public relations officer, respectively
Living Waters Radio journalist Clifford Kalilombe has been elected as treasurer with Radio Maria’s journalist Peter Stephano and Mayamiko Mwikhoma (freelancer) elected as executive members.
In his remarks,the first Deputy Speaker of Parliament Madalitso Kazombo who was a guest of honour at the general meeting said the media has a critical role to play in popularising Malawi to the world.
He said apart from focusing on political issues, the media should also invest in tourism and other developmental stories that may attract tourists from within and outside the country.
Kazombo emphasised that the media should report on the county’s scenic places as well as wildlife.
He assured Parliament’s continued support towards the growth of the media industry in the country.
“Parliament will continue to ensure that it puts in place legislation that does not interfere with media freedoms but rather promote such freedoms,”he said.
On his part, Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) director of broadcast Zadziko Makhambo challenged journalists to embrace the digital sphere.
He said: “Don’t just be a photojournalist or videographer but also be able to write stories as well as be conversant with social media platforms to ably reach to all media consumers,” he said.
YONECO Executive Director MacBain Mkandawire urged the journalists to critically manage their social status and ‘money’ prudently.
“Build more assets than liabilities in life regardless of your income by managing your spending habits,” he said.
The new leadership is expected to run the club for the next three years.