The United States Embassy in Malawi and the Malawi Institute of Southern Africa (Misa) Malawi Chapter have decried limited access and secrecy surrounding government information, which leaves the citizenry clueless on many things.
Speaking during a panel discussion as part of commemorations of World Press Freedom Day yesterday in Mzuzu, Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Malawi Amy Diaz cited how difficult it has become for the citizenry and the diplomatic community to follow the processes of passing bills in Parliament.
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The discussion was held under the theme ‘Building an informed electorate: Role of the media in ensuring access to accurate and credible information during elections.’
Said Diaz: “This is really important with the issue of legislation as it goes through different stages in Parliament and while the final legislation is available, it changes dramatically from the first reading to the second and the third reading.
“I can tell you that non-governmental organisations talk to me a lot about that. But even as a foreign mission, trying to track some legislation that might impact some of our programming is very difficult.”
She encouraged journalists to continue writing stories about corruption ahead of the September 16 General Elections so that Malawians know who they are voting for.
In an interview after the discussion, Secretary for Information and Digitisation Baldwin Chiyamwaka said the problems were on both sides, but disclosed that the government was working to ensure that all information is provided online.
The call from Diaz resonated with what Misa Malawi chairperson Golden Matonga stated yesterday morning at Mzuzu State Lodge where President Lazarus Chakwera hosted journalists for breakfast.
He said while there have been significant legal reforms to improve media freedom, such as amendments to sedition laws and the Protected Names and Emblems Act, and operationalisation of the Access to Information Act, the culture of secrecy persists.
Wondered Matonga: “Why would the Malawi Prisons Services decline to disclose the identities of inmates granted pardons? Since the pardons are a presidential prerogative, wouldn’t the President’s office have demonstrated commitment to the spirit of Access to Information and proactively provided the list of the pardoned prisoners?
“Should those convicted in open courts be released without transparency? Such actions reflect a refusal to embrace the spirit of proactive information disclosure as mandated by law.”
Matonga also challenged Chakwera that a free and thriving press should extend beyond the President hosting an annual breakfast.
“Journalists should have consistent access to their President with opportunities to pose critical questions through regular press briefings and one-on-one interviews. We have recently observed a decline in traditional press briefings under your administration.
While various Malawian presidents have found time for interviews with international press, the same accessibility has not been afforded to the local press, which better understands the issues affecting our citizens,” he added.
Speaking during the breakfast, Chakwera said the State and media needed to work together to maintain an environment and a discipline of objective reasoning, which include meticulous research, civil debate and calm presentation.
“We must show that we care about accuracy of coverage, fairness of coverage, balance of coverage, calmness of coverage, diversity of coverage, and objectivity of coverage.
“And I believe that we can achieve all of that only if State and media treat each other as partners, not adversaries,” said Chakwera.
This was the fourth time Chakwera hosted the media breakfast since assuming office in 2020.
