US support strengthen selection coverage
As Malawi approaches general elections next year, the United States (US) Embassy has called for enhanced election coverage to keep the public informed about the electoral processes.
In a recent meeting held at Misa Malawi office in Lilongwe, United States chargé d’affaires Amy Diaz engaged with Misa-Malawi chairperson Golden Matonga to discuss the state of media freedom and responsible journalism during this critical period.
She reiterated the United States Government’s unwavering commitment to supporting media independence in Malawi.
Said Diaz: “The media have to be responsible, but the public also has to be vigilant. You need to check the authenticity of the sources where they are getting the information from.
“If you get information about a public figure, check the reputation of the person and their credentials before posting it on social media.”
The meeting highlighted the challenges that Malawi’s media face in combating misinformation and fake news, which are particularly problematic during election periods.
Matonga expressed his appreciation for the ongoing support from the US Embassy and other media institutions.
“The training provided by the embassy has been instrumental in developing a cohort of competent and professional journalists who can keep Malawians well-informed during the election period,” he said.
He further revealed that Misa-Malawi is taking proactive steps to counter the spread of disinformation, misinformation and fake news.
