Tag Archives: Karonga Press Club

Development

Malawi Red Cross tips journalists on Covid-19 fight

Maravi Post Reporter
Malawi Red Cross train journalists on Covid-19 fight

By Lusekero Mhango

KARONGA-(MaraviPost)-As thousands of people fall susceptible to the Corona Virus Pandemic across the globe Malawi Red Cross Society (MRCS) has underscored the importance media practitioners play in disseminating correct information to communities about COVID-19 saying their involvement is key to winning against the Pandemic.

The call come as Malawi continue to register a decline in COVID-19 cases with Karonga District which so far has registered 83 cases and 4 fatalities going since the 27th of August without recording a single case of the virus.

Speaking in an interview following a two day workshop on COVID-19 that the Karonga Press Club (KPC) organized in partnership with MRCS Blessings Mlowoka District Coordinator for Karonga, said Malawi Red Cross recognizes the critical role that the media has to play in managing the Corona Virus situation hence the engagement with members of the KPC.

He noted, one important tool in preventing the spread of the virus is awareness of the prevention measures and the media has an important role in achieving that.

“Regardless that we are registering a low number of cases this is the time to intensify awareness campaigns so that we continue to maintain the prevention measures so by equipping the media with the correct information we are very sure that people will be in a better position to get the appropriate information that will contribute positively towards prevention and control of the virus,” he explained.

Director for Health and Social Services for Karonga David Sibale, urged people of Karonga not to start relaxing despite the district not registering a Corona Virus case since August.

“The fact that we have not registered a case in the district since august does not mean that people should start relaxing and stop following the set guidelines of wearing a mask and washing hands among others as the virus is still amidst us and has not gone away,” he warned.

Andrew Mkonda District Information Officer (DIO) who is also the KPC chairperson, expressed gratitude to Red Cross for seeing it fit to equip the media on the COVID-19 Pandemic.

He said,the orientation was an eye opener as the members are now better equipped with information about Corona Virus.

“As media practitioners who reside in Karonga a bordering district its people are at most risk of the virus but through the training we are now better placed to relay the information to communities out there thus reducing the risks of catching COVID-19,” he articulated.

With Financial assistance from Irelish Aid and UNICEF, Malawi RED Cross Society have been implementing COVID-19 interventions which include screening at the borders and door to door awareness campaigns on the pandemic among others.

District News

Malawi journalists urged to refrain from being influenced by money

Special Absalom

UDK Consultant, an organization that deals with a wide range of issues including community development, extractive industry, NGO management, governance, policy advices, conflict, and event management in Malawi, on Saturday, asked journalists in the country to start research issues especially by investigating on any story they want or are assigned to carry, than rushing to publish them.

Undule Mwakasungula, founder of UDK Consultant made the call in Karonga during a meeting with Karonga Press Club (KPC), a group of journalists from Chitipa and Karonga district.

Mwakasungula said journalists play a vital role in any country as the fourth arm government and advocates. Because of this, they need to carry investigations on any story they want to publish as opposed to writing hearsays.

“Journalism differs from any other careers. It has many definitions, especially when you look at it broadly. A journalist can be described as an advocate, apart being fourth arm of government. Therefore, journalists need to investigate issues and find the truth than writing hearsays,” said Mwakasungula.

Mwakasungula also said that journalists should not be biased or influenced by money when doing their respective job.

“I understand that sometimes you do that due to lack of resources, but what you should know is that you are the mouthpiece of the community. Whatever you write can help to unite, develop or disunite the community,” he added.

The UDK Consultant then donated a modern recorder to KPC for carrying investigative stories.

In his remarks, Chairperson for KPC, who is also the new Chitipa District Information Officer (DIO), Bishop Witmos, commended UDKConsultant for the partnership and the training.

Witmos said the training and donation has come at a time when KPC is advising its members to write investigative stories.

The Karonga Press Club Chair then urged his fellow members to put into action what they have learned from the training.

“This workshop has really helped us. It has closed loopholes that journalists in the two districts had; it was also an open eye. It’s our prayer that this partnership grows and benefits the community,” said Witmos.

The one-day workshop was aimed at equipping journalists with knowledge of writing stories on good governance.

KPC has journalists from different media houses that include private, religious and public.