Malawi journalists challenged to embrace nutrition reporting
Journalists in the country have been challenged to tell stories that give readers a real picture on nutrition issues in a bid to increase the availability of healthy foods in the country and as well as ensuring diversification of the diets aimed at ensuring improved nutrition.
Food and Nutrition Officer at Karonga District Agriculture Office Keston Sinkhonde made the call following the end of a day long training with members of the Karonga Press Club (KPC) on the Afikepo and Kulima projects.
In an interview Sinkhonde who is also the Afikepo desk Officer for Karonga, said the media are key in enlightening the public about improved nutrition and a balance diet for good health.
“Nutrition is an issue which is not prioritize by most people including Journalists as well as individuals at household level and in the communities thus the media are vital in raising awareness on the importance of nutrition,” he said.
He noted, good nutrition food allows the brain to function properly resulting in more affective knowledge with school going children.
“Good nutritional food especially during the critical first 1000 days between pregnancy and age 2 is foundational to the physical and cognitive development of the infants and young children hence the orientation with the media on Nutrition.” Sinkhonde Explained.
In his remarks KPC Chairperson Andrew Mkonda,, expressed gratitude to the organizers of the orientation saying the workshop was an eye opener as journalists lacked knowledge on issues of nutrition.
Mkonda has since challenged fellow Journalists to broaden up their horizon in their news gathering by embracing nutrition reporting.
With funding from the European Union (EU) Afikepo nutrition program is a Government of Malawi project implemented in partnership with Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and United Nation’s Children Fund (UNICEF).
