In a bid to thoroughly develop and print the much awaited Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa)-Malawi Chapter’s 2016-2020 strategic plan, Press Trust has donated MK1 million toward the course.
Press Trust’s donation comes barely three weeks a head of the prestigious awards to outstanding journalists in various fields of reporting which is done yearly during World Press Freedom Day which falls on May 3.
Misa-Malawi plans to hold this year’s World Press Freedom Day on May 7, 2016 at Sunbird Nkopola Lodge in the lakeshore district of Mangochi with expectation to launch the organization’s strategic plan aimed at shaping the operation with new path for next five years and beyond.
In an exclusive interview with The Maravi Post after donating the funds towards Misa-Malawi’s strategic plan development on Tuesday, April 19, in the capital Lilongwe, Dr. George Kanyambo, Press Trust Chairperson said was delighted to for his organization making sure that freedom of speech through various media outlet is exercised responsible for the country’s growth hence the donation.
Dr Kanyambo further observed that the media plays a vital role in disseminating information to masses on various topics including health, education, politics, economics among others hence the need forsupport.
“Press Trust firmly believes that freedom of speech and access to information is extremely important not only for the development of our country but also the sustenance of our much cherished democracy. Although, Press Trust has no commercial investments in the media sector but its origins are firmly rooted in print media at the time country was fighting for independence.
“The Trust relies heavily on the media to inform the public on the different kind of social development work which they can access from us. It’s for these reasons that Press Trust decided to donate MK1 million towards the development of the strategic Plan for Misa-Malawi and help you have a clear roadmap on the improvement of journalism in this country”, delighted Dr. Kanyambo.
Speaking after receiving the donation, Wiza Mwenitete Ng’oma, Misa-Malawi Treasurer minced no words over the timely intervention lauding Press Trust for demonstrating great commitment to the advancement of the media.
“We would like to commend Press Trust for helping us achieve our objective to have our own strategic plan which will shape the operations of this organization for the next five years and beyond that we couldn’t have asked for anything better than this.
“We are now working on design and printing as plans are underway to launch it during celebrations to mark World Press Freedom Day at Sunbird Nkhopola Lodge in Mangochi on May. The launch will be a memorable moment for us as an organization as we are embarking on a new path and direction as a chapter”, pleased Ng’oma.
Misa was established in 2007 whose regional membership base is from media and Non-Governmental Organization based in Namibia aimed at promoting and defending media freedom and freedom of expression while also enhancing media independence, diversity and pluralism and envision a country and region where members of society, individually or collectively are free to express themselves through any media of their choice without hindrance of any kind.