Media influencers called to be responsible
Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) board chairperson Stanley Khaila says the Malawian story can best be told by its own media influencers.
He said if people who have a voice create the image of Malawi as bad, that is what the country will be.
Khaila made the remarks during the opening of a two-day media influencers’ conference yesterday in Lilongwe taking place under the theme ‘Media influencers, impact and responsibilities.
He said: “You create the images because you have influence. This is where responsibility is called. If these critical voices can help us attain development, that’s good. But if these voices will take us three steps back then it’s unfortunate.”
accessed by everyone
Khaila said a lot has changed on the communications landscape with the introduction of social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter and Instagram as the world is faced with a lot of sharing of misinformation and fake news.
He said he hoped the knowledge that participants will gain from the conference will be a catalyst for mindset change which will help Malawi attain its development agenda.
Macra director general Daudi Suleman said the channel which people are consuming, generating and distributing content is no longer structured and organised.
He said it is important that people who are creating and distributing content are aware of their responsibilities, rights as well as applicable laws that are there in this country.
“The profile of our nation is built by what Malawians are going to put out there. It is important that we take a fresh look at the profiles that we are putting out there about our country. We have that power because the digital platforms are being accessed by everyone who can write and describe what Malawi is,” said Suleman.
One of the participants, Radio 2FM personality Joy Nathu said: “Social media is crucial and it is important for us as media influencers to understand the laws that are governing this space.”
Media consultant and social media influencer Taonga Botolo described the workshop as an eye-opener which has showed how the media influencers need to position themselves within the public discourse.
“We have been reminded that in the digital dispensation, as social media influencers, we are obliged to practise our voluntary duty responsibly and within the confines of legal and regulatory provisions,” he said.
The conference has drawn media influencers from a cross-section from mainstream media, social media, artists, corporate players and representatives of various media bodies.
