Chiyamwaka Urges District Information Officers to Report Objectively Ahead of Elections
Secretary for the Ministry of Information and Digitalisation, Baldwin Chiyamwaka, has called on District Information Officers (DIOs) to maintain objectivity in their reporting as Malawi prepares for the general elections in September.
Speaking on Tuesday in Mzuzu during a meeting with DIOs and Technicians from the Northern Region at the Regional Information Office (North), Chiyamwaka emphasized the crucial role of information officers in ensuring the public receives accurate and unbiased news.
“Elections provide an opportunity for Malawians to exercise their right to choose leaders. This is a very critical time whereby DIOs, who are the windows to the districts, should provide accurate information and report objectively,” he said.
Chiyamwaka also highlighted the growing challenge of disinformation, stressing that the media has the power to shape public perceptions. “DIOs should take the lead in making sure that people are receiving correct information that will guide them in their decision-making,” he added.
Addressing the ongoing devolution of the Ministry of Information and Digitalisation, Chiyamwaka reminded DIOs to continue submitting stories to the Malawi News Agency headquarters despite their administrative reporting to District Commissioners.
“Although you will be reporting to the District Commissioners administratively, remember that technically you are still staff of the Ministry of Information, and your core duty is to support the government’s development agenda through the stories you write,” he explained.
Echoing these sentiments, Rumphi District Information Officer Manasseh Nyirenda reaffirmed his commitment to providing factual and impartial information.
“We always focus on reporting the facts while avoiding any language or tone that could be perceived as biased. By reporting objectively, information officers can help maintain the integrity of the electoral process and ensure that citizens have access to accurate and unbiased information, which is crucial in enabling voters to make informed decisions at the polls,” Nyirenda stated.
