LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Lack of funding remains a key factor crippling the awareness drive for Access To Information (ATI) law since its operationalization in 2020.
This has failed Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) to ably implement a sensitization campaign on law.
The US Embassy in Malawi has therefore challenged President Lazarus Chakwera’s Tonse Alliance government to financially support MHRC on ATI Act.
Public Relations Officer at US Embassy Namita Biggins says it is concerning that since the law was enacted in 2020, the MHRC has not been adequately funded to implement it.
Speaking in the capital Lilongwe on Thursday, August 31, 2023, during the launch of the ATI Act Handbook by Media Council of Malawi (MCM) for media practitioners in Malawi, Biggins observes that the corruption fight could not be won without full public awareness of the law
“If Malawi is serious about positively shaping the future of rights and protecting its people’s freedom of expression as enshrined in the Malawi Constitution, the ATI cannot be merely window dressing,” says Biggins.
Government spokesperson Moses Kunkuyu also admitted the failure to adequately fund MHRC attributing it to financial challenges in the country.
Parliamentary Committee on Media and Communications Chairperson Susanne Dossi therefore assured the nation that will push for funding during the mid-year budget review in November to support ATI law operationalization.
In his opening remarks, MCM Executive Director Moses Kaufa expects the book to help journalists fully understand ATI law.
Kaufa also appealed for financial support for the training capacity of media practitioners across the country.
He disclosed that the council is targeting 2000 journalists, 200 District Information officers, and 50 Public Relations Officers in government institutions.
ATI Act was operationalized in August 2020, but the gap remains in the law’s awareness to the public.
