By Burnett Munthali
Minister of Information and Digitalization, Moses Kunkuyu, has urged media practitioners in Malawi to maintain the highest standards of professionalism as the country prepares for the 2025 general elections.
Kunkuyu made these remarks on Monday during the official opening of a two-day Election Coverage Workshop currently underway at Nkopola Lodge in Mangochi District.
He underscored the critical role of accuracy and verification in election reporting, noting that media houses must ensure that all information published is thoroughly sourced and fact-checked.
“The media must avoid publishing unverified information, especially during the election period when tensions can be high,” said Kunkuyu.
He further emphasized that the dissemination of unchecked or misleading content could contribute to instability and confusion during such a sensitive time in the nation’s democratic process.
Kunkuyu also praised the role of community broadcasters in election coverage, describing them as essential in ensuring grassroots participation and information access.
He called on District Information Officers to strengthen partnerships with local media outlets to enhance their reach and credibility.
Additionally, the Minister cautioned journalists against allowing themselves to be used as tools by politicians to advance partisan interests.
“If you’re a supporter of a certain party, let the politicians do the campaigning—not you,” he warned, reminding media personnel of their duty to remain impartial and objective.
Representing the MACRA Board Chairperson, Isaac Songea echoed Kunkuyu’s sentiments, urging broadcasters to refrain from using abusive or inflammatory language in their programming.
Songea stressed the importance of promoting peaceful discourse and national unity in the lead-up to the elections.
The ongoing workshop, scheduled to conclude on Tuesday, is being held under the theme: “Rethinking Community Broadcasting and Ethics Ahead of September 2025 Elections.”
It brings together media stakeholders from across the country to deliberate on ethical reporting, professionalism, and the role of media in safeguarding Malawi’s democracy.
As political activities begin to intensify ahead of next year’s elections, the call for ethical journalism and responsible broadcasting has never been more crucial.
