EU urges enhanced corruption reporting

European Union  (EU)Ambassador Rune Skinnebach has asked the media to take advantage of Malawi’s relatively free media environment to vigilantly follow-up on stories that demand transparency and accountability on corruption and other social ills.

He made the call at his residence in Lilongwe on Monday when he interacted with University of Malawi Political and Administrative Studies Department students on matters of national interest.

Reacting to concerns by some of the students that the media is not effectively contributing towards the fight against corruption due to lack of follow-ups on reported stories on corruption and other matters of national concern, the envoy urged journalists to ensure that they see matters to their conclusion by asking authorities hard-hitting questions which demand clarification, transparency and accountability on corruption cases and public-funded projects.

Said Skinnebach: “The media here is blessed with a relatively free environment. They have to grab this opportunity not only to report, but ask questions, not only ask questions but follow up.

“They need not only to write there is a pothole, or there is corruption going on, but ask the authorities what did you do about this pothole? And if they fixed it, how come there is a pothole again two weeks later?”

The envoy said in this way, the media would achieve its mission of strengthening democracy as the fourth arm of government.

During the discussion, Tamara Mahalu, who represented the students debating the impact of corruption on the country’s development, claimed that most media houses are failing to follow corruption stories to their conclusion.

“Most of the media houses are not independent, which makes it hard for them to make frequent follow-ups,” she said.

Speaker of Parliament Catherine Gotani Hara commended the EU Ambassador for creating an opportunity for students to contribute their thoughts on matters of national interest as future policymakers.

She said her office will  organise a similar session for the students to appreciate the processes of Parliament.

The meeting, which attracted 85 students from various years of study in the department, was organised by the EU Ambassador for the students to appreciate EU activities in Malawi, and give them an opportunity to contribute their ideas towards development.