Truth in Reporting: Key to Credible Elections in Malawi

The Secretary for Information and Digitalization, Baldwin Chiyamwaka, has emphasized the critical role of the media in shaping the electoral narrative ahead of Malawi’s general elections set for September 16th.

Chiyamwaka called on media houses to engage in in-depth discussions and analyses of electoral issues to counter misinformation and uphold the integrity of the electoral process.

“Be catalysts of truth and facts about what is happening,” he said, reaffirming the government’s commitment to supporting media freedom.

Speaking on behalf of the MACRA Board Chairperson, Alekeni Menyani underscored the importance of installing “delay” machines to prevent the live broadcast of potentially inflammatory content during the election period.

The workshop, themed “Electoral Broadcasting in the 21st Century: Opportunities, Challenges and Solutions,” has brought together media practitioners to tackle key issues affecting election coverage. Through capacity-building efforts, MACRA and the Ministry of Information aim to cultivate a well-informed citizenry and facilitate peaceful, credible elections.

As the elections draw near, the media’s responsibility in fostering transparency and promoting democratic values remains more vital than ever.