Media Urged to Uphold Professionalism Ahead of 2025 Elections

WhatAs Malawi approaches the 2025 general elections, the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) is calling on media practitioners to prioritize professionalism and fact-checking in their reporting.

MACRA Director General Daud Suleman emphasized the critical role media plays in shaping public opinion, particularly given that 30% of Malawi’s population has access to the internet. Suleman made these remarks during the first day of a two-day seminar on “Election Broadcasting in the 21st Century: Opportunities, Challenges and Solutions,” being held in Mangochi at Makokola Retreat.

The seminar, scheduled to run from 9:00 AM to the afternoon each day, aims to equip national and regional broadcasters with the skills and knowledge necessary for effective election coverage. As the country draws closer to the September 16th, 2025 Tripartite Elections, the workshop’s objective is to ensure that broadcasters fulfill their mandate of informing and educating the public on matters of public interest.

Dr. Sydney Kamkudzi, a senior lecturer at the University of Malawi (UNIMA), supported Suleman’s call, highlighting the importance of giving a platform to political minority candidates who often struggle to gain visibility and support due to their affiliation with smaller parties. Citing a 2020 study by Nicole S. Martin, Kamkudzi noted that ethnic minority candidates often face penalties at the ballot box. He advocated for issue-based reporting that presents minority candidates as legitimate contenders.

Sangwani Mwafulirwa, Director of Communications and Public Relations at the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), echoed Kamkudzi’s sentiments, emphasizing the need for fair and balanced reporting to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process. Both Kamkudzi and Mwafulirwa agreed that balanced reporting would enable all candidates to reach voters equally, promoting a more inclusive and representative electoral process.

The workshop, which is being attended by media managers and reporters from national and regional media houses, is expected to conclude later in the afternoon.