Tag Archives: 2024 Annual Congress for Science and Environmental Journalists in Malawi

Environment, Law and order

“Hold duty bearers accountable on access to energy, environmental challenges through ATI law”-Oxfam Malawi

Lloyd M’bwana

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Oxfam Malawi has dared environmental journalists to extensively use the Access to Information Law by holding public officers accountable to address environmental challenges being experienced.

Oxfam Malawi’s Clean Energy project Coordinator Kondwani Mubisa told The Maravi Post during the sidelines of the 2024 Annual Congress for Science and Environmental Journalists in Malawi underway in the capital Lilongwe that the law requires full understanding for easy usage.

Mubisa therefore commended the Association of Environmental Journalists (AEJ) and Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) for accepting Oxfam’s request to train journalists on ATI law as part of the institution’s capacity-building agenda.

“The training focused on enhancing the knowledge and skills of journalists concerning access to information, with a particular emphasis on the energy sector and environmental issues.

“The primary objective of the training was to equip journalists with a comprehensive understanding of the Access to Information Law, empowering them to leverage this legal framework in their pursuit of accountability and transparency within the energy sector and the environmental sector at large,” he said.

Mubisa adds, “The session underscored the critical role of the media in holding institutions accountable by ensuring that vital information is accessible to the public. We want environmental journalists to utilize the Access to Information Law to obtain information from various institutions.

“The training emphasized the importance of transparency in governance and how journalists can serve as a bridge between institutions and the public by making crucial information available for public consumption. Moreover, the session provided in-depth discussions on the relationship between the Access to Information Law and the Constitution of Malawi, highlighting the provisions that safeguard media freedom”.

He explains further, “Participants were made aware of how these legal tools can be used to navigate challenges in their reporting, particularly when dealing with sensitive or restricted information. This legal grounding is vital for journalists who are often on the frontline of investigative reporting, ensuring they can effectively perform their duties while upholding journalistic integrity.

“The session also addressed the potential limitations and exemptions within the Access to Information Law. Journalists were sensitized to scenarios where the law might not apply, such as cases involving national security, personal privacy, or other protected information categories. Understanding these exemptions is crucial for media practitioners to navigate the legal landscape without inadvertently breaching legal boundaries”.

Speaking on the sidelines of the training, AEJ President Matthews Malata lauded Oxfam for the timely training saying will help environmental journalists to utilize the law effectively when accessing information from policyholders.

The capacity-building session on leveraging the access to information law in advancing the clean energy agenda was supported by Oxfam under the Promoting Equitable Access to Clean Energy (PEACE) project with financial support from the European Union (EU).

Environment, Malawi

Malawi’s environmental journalists dared on protective reporting amid climate change shocks

Lloyd M’bwana

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The country’s Association of Environmental Journalists (AEJ) members have been challenged to extensively report and cover science and the environment that protects the general public from climate change shocks.

Acting Director of the Malawi Environment Protection Authority (MEPA), Tiwonge Mbale Luka told AEJ’s annual congress underway in Lilongwe that the general public expects environmental protection coverage.

Luka emphasized the need for environmental journalists to go beyond reporting while investigating environmental challenges that attract policy for action.

“Government and the media have a role in ensuring the environment and natural resources are managed sustainably. Therefore, there is a coverage gap, and media professionals need to improve their reporting on all aspects of the environment,” urges Luka.

AEJ Board Chairperson Emmanuel Muwamba says the gathering is a vital platform for us to exchange ideas, share knowledge, network, and strengthen collective efforts towards environmental sustainability.

Muwamba however acknowledged the coverage gap but was quick to note that the depth of environmental reporting has improved greatly over the past 10 years.

“Climate change is magnifying these impacts by putting greater strain on land and forests due to increased incidents of natural disasters and extreme weather events. The degradation of the environment and natural resources has an effect on the economy of the country. It is therefore important to address the factors that lead to environmental degradation so that the environment is sustainably managed leading to its restoration.

“However this cannot be achieved if science and environmental journalists fail to inform or raise awareness among people of the society. Science and environmental journalists should generate the debate on interlinkages between environmental issues and sustainable development,” observes Muwamba.

He added, “Science and environmental journalists should champion sustainable environmental management. Science and environmental journalists should not only hold the Government accountable but the citizenry too should account for their actions.

“Journalists analyze current trends of environmental issues through in-depth environmental reports that do not only allow organizations to assure the general public that they are adhering to applicable laws and regulations, such reports should also give companies a platform to address specific questions so that we are not seen to be biased”.

The 2024 Annual Congress for Science and Environmental Journalists in Malawi is under the theme, “Be Part of the Plan”.

The theme underscores the importance of collective action towards environmental sustainability.

The three-day conference that started on August 8, 2024, is also expected to usher in new leadership, award the best environmental reporters, and conclude with a big walk on Saturday, August 10.