Nation Publications Limited (NPL) on Saturday reclaimed the Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa) Malawi Chapter Media House of the Year-Print accolade that had eluded the country’s media house of choice for three years.
In individual awards, NPL journalists also scooped 12 awards for publishing outstanding stories that impacted lives and influenced decisions during the review period.
Misa Malawi Chapter presented the awards on Saturday night at Grand Palace Hotel in Mzuzu as part of the World Press Freedom Day celebrations held globally on May 3.
NPL Chichewa sub-editor Kondwani Kamiyala was the toast of the night as he scooped three awards, namely Best Adult Learning and
Education, Water and Sanitation and Access to Justice.
NPL investigative journalist Bobby Kabango also scooped a hat trick of awards in Business and Economics, Anti- Corruption and Human Rights.
Mzuzu-based NPL journalists
Pledge Jali and Allan Nyasulu won the Online Arts Journalist of the Year and Early Childhood Development Journalist of the Year, respectively.
On the other hand, NPL Assistant Bureau Chief for Lilongwe Suzgo Chitete scooped the Democracy and Good Governance Journalist of the Year accolade while technical editor Andrew Mtupanyama claimed the Old Mutual Responsible Business Journalist of the Year Award and reporter Jonathan Pasungwi won Best Infrastructure Journalist of the Year badge.
Nation on Sunday news analyst Lloyd Chitsulo was recognised for his work on writing accountability stories.
In the print media category, Times Group scooped awards in the investigative, sexual and reproductive health, sports and ICT categories.
Times Radio was named Best Print Media House of the Year
Electronic in radio category as did Times Television in the television category while Platform for Investigative Journalism (PIJ) scooped the Online Media House of the Year Award.
Speaking during the awards presentation, Misa Malawi Chapter judges committee chairperson Thom Khanje said NPL has maintained relevance in the print category, showcasing resilience at a time the media environment has changed
He also lauded NPL for its continued social corporate responsibility activities, notably the Mother’s Fun Run which mobilises resources for safe motherhood in public hospitals annually.
In her remarks, United States Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Amy Diaz, said it was encouraging that even with a tough business environment, media outlets in the country still provide resources for journalists to do diligent work.
Ahead of the September 16 General Election, she said the media holds shoulders and enormous responsibility.
Said Diaz: “All of you are inseparable from the process of a successful election as you help inform citizens to participate meaningfully in the sacred democratic process. I encourage you to remain professional in your reporting.
However, the US envoy said she was concerned with pockets of intimidation, harassment and arbitrary arrests of journalists for simply doing their job, as such treatment was unacceptable for any democracy and must be strongly condemned.
On his part, Ministry of Information and Digitisation Principal Secretary Baldwin Chiyamwaka expressed fear that without accurate, balanced and accessible information, citizens
cannot make informed choices and, therefore, not be able to effectively participate in elections.
He said journalists are not just messengers, but pillars of good governance which includes accountability, and transparency, and even more, national cohesion.
Speaking earlier, Misa Malawi Chapter chairperson Golden Matonga urged the media to remain vigilant in holding those in power to account, by among others, auditing their promises.
This year’s World Press Freedom Day celebrations were commemorated under the theme ‘Media for an informed electorate’.
