Minister asks journalists to enhance good governance
Minister responsible for Good Governance in the Office of the President and Cabinet Chris Daza has told journalists to report responsibly to enhance good governance in the country.
Daza was speaking in Blantyre today at the 2013 graduation of 259 Malawi Institute of Journalism (MIJ) students from Blantyre, Lilongwe and Mzuzu campuses. The theme of the graduation was ‘Journalists: Watchdogs of Good Governance’
He said journalists have a critical role to play to ensure accountability.
“Good governance comprises, among others, independence, accountability, clarity of purpose and effectiveness. It is the job of journalists to make sure that these are followed,” said Daza.
He said irresponsible reporting can bring chaos in the country as was the case in Rwanda during the genocide.
One of the speakers at the graduation ceremony, Nation Publications Limited (NPL) managing editor Edward Chitsulo called on the graduants to take advantage of the political environment to be the country’s watchdogs.
Chitsulo noted that when he started practising journalism under first president the late Hastings Kamuzu Banda, there was secretarial journalism where journalists had to follow what the government and the ruling party then wanted in the name of following four cornerstones.
He praised journalists for exposing a number of corruption cases such as the K187 million education scam.
One of the graduating students, Nthezemu Kamanga, called on the public to support the media to become better watchdogs.
MIJ executive director Dalitso Nkunika announced that the institution, which currently offers diplomas and certificates, plans to start a degree programme.
Gospel Kazako of Zodiak Broadcasting Station (ZBS), Mgeme Kalirani of MBC and Aston Gondwe of Voice of Livingstonia (VOL) got diplomas with distinction.
