Malawi Human Rights Resource Centre (MHRRC) has urged citizen journalists based in Dowa and Ntchisi districts to report on issues that help create equal opportunities and access to resources in communities.
Speaking on Tuesday after a two-day refresher training for citizen journalists in Mponela in Dowa, MHRRC associate capacity development officer Noel Msiska said citizen journalists have a responsibility to advance social justice by giving underprivileged people platforms to speak about things that affect them.
He said: “The main focus is on governance, resources, accountability, gender or inclusiveness.
“So, the idea is to equip the journalists with skills and knowledge to enhance their capacity in reporting these issues.”
Msiska said the training, which the Norwegian Church Aid and DanChurchAid (NCA/DCA) supported, will also equip the journalists with research and investigative skills.
“We want the journalists to hold duty-bearers accountable on the implementation of public projects and delivery of services,” he said.
In an interview, Ntchisi district information officer James Mwale also said citizen journalists have a role to play to advance people’s wishes.
“Citizen journalists are the first eyes and ears on the ground and they bring out stories that could otherwise have remained untold. In this case, they help amplify voices from the grassroots and hold duty-bearers accountable,” he said.
One of the participants, Sidonia Muyande from Mkukula in Dowa, said the training equipped him with skills in issue-based reporting.
“This training will help us on how to identify issues affecting people and how best we can bring these to light,” he said.
