Tag Archives: Nyika Media Club

Business

Gazette Media donates half a million towards Nyika Media Club AGM

MaraviPost

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-The Gazette Media, a media consultancy firm, has donated K500,000 to support the Northern Region Nyika Media Club’s annual general meeting (AGM) scheduled for this weekend.

Speaking during the donation on Tuesday in Mzuzu, Gazette Media Lead Consultant McDonald Chapalapata stated that their consultancy firm fully supports the operations of media clubs, as they promote expertise and news authenticity, hence the donation.

“As a consultancy firm, we collaborate closely with media houses to secure the publicity and media coverage our clients. We believe that Nyika Media Club advocates for professionalism in journalism, which aligns with our interests,” said Chapalapata.

However, he expressed concern over the increasing reliance on social media as a news source, noting that it has significantly compromised the quality and credibility of journalism today.

“Nowadays, anyone with a phone and internet access considers themselves a journalist, often disregarding professional standards. That is why we believe these media clubs are playing a vital role in promoting better skills in the field,” he said.

In response, Nyika Media Club chairperson Feston Malekezo applauded Gazette Media for the donation, stating that it will be instrumental during their general meeting as they discuss competence in journalism.

“This donation has come at a perfect time, coinciding with our Annual General Meeting, where our focus will be on the upcoming elections and exchanging ideas on ensuring fair and balanced reporting,” said Malekezo. 

Gazette Media also supported the Association of Business Journalists’ elective AGM last year.

Development

Malawi Media urged to embrace parliamentary reporting intensively

Maravi Post Reporter


By Phillip Pasula

MZUZU-(MaraviPost)-Journalists in the country have been urged to do more reporting on parliamentary issues such as management and utilisation of resources approved by parliament as well as loan authorisation bills.

The call was made on Saturday at Grand Palace Hotel in Mzuzu where Centre for Social, Accountability and Transparency (CSAT) under the Parliamentary Support Programme refreshed minds of journalists belonging to Nyika Media Club on the Access to Information (ATI) law.

Veteran journalist Suzgo Chitete of Nation Publications Limited (NPL) and Joseph Mwale shade more light on the law, barriers in accessing information and ways of overcoming such barriers.

CSAT Executive Director, Willy Kambwandira, said it was important for journalists to report what parliament is doing and keep on check the work that is happening at parliament.

Said Kambwandira:“We thought we needed to orient colleagues from the media on the Access to Information Law because we believe this is the tool that is being used to promote parliamentary accountability. Our expectation is that the media is going to utilise the Access to Information Law to demand accountability through different parliamentary committees.”

Vice Chairperson for Nyika Media Club, Feston Malekezo, told Maravi Post that ATI was a very crucial piece of law that every journalist had to be appraised with.

“This training came in handy to help us to be equipped in these issues of accountability and how well we can report on issues happening in parliament,” said Malekezo.

Development

Malawi media challenged on extensive parliamentary reporting

Maravi Post Reporter


By Phillip Pasula

MZUZU-(MaraviPost)-Journalists in the country have been urged to do more reporting on parliamentary issues such as management and utilisation of resources approved by parliament as well as loan authorisation bills.

The call was made on Saturday at Grand Palace Hotel in Mzuzu where Centre for Social, Accountability and Transparency (CSAT) under the Parliamentary Support Programme refreshed minds of journalists belonging to Nyika Media Club on the Access to Information (ATI) law.

Veteran journalist Suzgo Chitete of Nation Publications Limited (NPL) and Joseph Mwale shade more light on the law, barriers in accessing information and ways of overcoming such barriers.

CSAT Executive Director, Willy Kambwandira, said it was important for journalists to report what parliament is doing and keep on check the work that is happening at parliament.

Said Kambwandira:“We thought we needed to orient colleagues from the media on the Access to Information Law because we believe this is the tool that is being used to promote parliamentary accountability. Our expectation is that the media is going to utilise the Access to Information Law to demand accountability through different parliamentary committees.”

Vice Chairperson for , Feston Malekezo, told Maravi Post that ATI was a very crucial piece of law that every journalist had to be appraised with.

“This training came in handy to help us to be equipped in these issues of accountability and how well we can report on issues happening in parliament,” said Malekezo

Development

Police Commissioner Kayira calls for responsible media reporting

Maravi Post Reporter


By Phillip Pasula

MZUZU-(MaraviPost)-Commissioner of Police responsible for the northern region, Noel Kayira, has said there is need for journalists in the country to have a sense of responsibility when reporting on issues regarding security.

Kayira was speaking on Thursday morning at the Northern Region Police Headquarters in the city of Mzuzu during an interface meeting with journalists belonging to Nyika Media Club (NMC).

The meeting with the journalists came after the Commissioner, who is two months old in the region, had a series of such meetings with Civil Society Organisations and other stakeholders on issues of security.

He said the meeting was important as it gave him an opportunity to take note of issues that can help enhance a good working relationship between the Malawi Police Service (MPS) and the media.

“Members of the media were able to come forward with areas where they think we are not doing right. There were proposals that were made to ensure that we improve on those areas,” he said.

The Commissioner also emphasised that integrity was of paramount importance on the part of police officers as well as journalists.

“Integrity entails being honest, being corrupt free and being people that can be trusted and relied upon. You as media practitioners should be able to hold us accountable if our integrity is going down.

“If we are corrupt, you should be able to whistle blow and ask and bring forward the information you have received,” remarked Commissioner Kayira.

Chairperson for Nyika Media Club, Joseph Mwale, said the media was ready to work with the police in serving Malawians.

Said Mwale:“We all need a society that is crime free. While on one end the police are ensuring that we have a crime free society, we on the other end are there to see to it that we disseminate information.”

Through the meeting, it was noted that in the northern region, one police officer is policing 1,800 citizens against the recommended ratio of one police officer to 500 citizens and in some countries it is one to 400 citizens.

The northern region has 1,600 police officers but recruitment is ongoing and according to the Commissioner.

Development

TEVETA dares Malawi media on vocational skills coverage

Maravi Post Reporter
Nyika Media Club

By Lusekero Mhango

KARONGA-(MaraviPost)-Technical Entrepreneurial Vocational and Education Training Authority (TEVETA) Executive Director Elwin Chiwembu Sichiola has challenged the media to champion articles on skills development as one way of promoting employment among youths in the country.

The call was made Friday, October 14, 2022 in Mzuzu during an interactive session with Nyika Media Club that the Authority had which among others was aimed at bringing together journalists across the Region in order to gain insightful knowledge about TEVETA and their newly rolled out Skills for a Vibrant Economy (SAVE) project with support from the World Bank.

In an interview Chiwembu Sichiola, said as Malawi looks to become a middle income country by 2063 it is vital that youths are empowered as it is key to unlocking the economic potential of Malawi.

Saying, due to their outreach through various platforms the media can play a big role in unear thing success stories from students who had undertaken the vocational skills development and were making a difference in their communities.

“As TEVETA we understand and appreciate the important role the media plays in educating and informing the masses hence our interaction with journalists.

“As we realize the media’s importance in this SAVE project as if it is to be successful the masses must know about it thus journalists will play a big role in ensuring the success as this is the biggest project undertaken by the TEVETA sector,” he said.

In his remarks Nyika Media Club Chairperson Joseph Mwale, Commended TEVETA in its drive to end youth unemployment in the country and for partnering up with the club.

“As Nyika our membership is spread across all districts in the region so our members are well placed to promote innovations that are happening in these districts through TEVETA lead programs hence we are thankful to TEVETA for enlightening us on their operations and the SAVE project,” he explained.

Never the less wale, challenged fellow Journalists to broaden their horizon by embracing vocational skills development in their news coverage as one way of promoting the sector among others.

Established in 1999 TEVETA currently has an enrollment of about 4000 students in various technical colleges across the country.

corruption

ACB drills Malawi journalists to report competently on corruption

Richard Kayenda
Ndala
ACB spokesperson Egrita Ndala

Mzuzu-(MaraviPost)—The  country’s graft busting body, Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), has called upon journalists in Malawi to add more value to their reporting, particularly on matters of corruption.

The institution made the appeal on Saturday when it organised a training workshop for the Northern Region’s media grouping, Nyika Media Club (NMC) in Rumphi.

While commending the role of the media in the country, ACB stressed on the need for journalists to report corruption with robust knowledge of the Corrupt Practice Act (CPA).

Speaking after the workshop, ACB’s Senior Public Relations Officer, Egrita Ndala, said media personnel ought to be familiar with the Corrupt Practice Act in order for them to report competently on issues to do with corruption in the country.

“We know that the media is doing a great job and we encourage them to continue reporting objectively. But when it is a matter that is being investigated, they need to report with caution; knowing that the perpetrators may be alerted by the reporting.

“They ought to be responsible enough without causing unnecessary jeopardy to the investigation process. Corruption prevention is a very important remedy and our first role as a Bureau is to prevent corruption before we can investigate and prosecute. And so, people need to be catalysts of preventing corruption,” said she.

Ndala further said, at times, the job of the bureau is incomplete without the media.

Commenting on Ndala’s remarks, President for NMC, Joseph Mwale, who works for Nation Publication Limited (NPL), said the workshop was a vital refresher training for journalists bearing in mind how corruption is retarding the nation’s development.

Mwale said: “It is embarrassing for Malawi to be listed as one of the most corrupt countries in Africa. As media, we need to play a major role in fighting the vice. We are an integral part in helping government root out this vice from the society.

“The training was important because it oriented journalists but again reminded them of some things they might have forgotten. My call is that we should go out there and help win the fight.”

The training enabled journalists to appreciate the functions and operations of ACB such as the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS) II, Corruption Awareness, red flags of corruption, investigation processes, and familiarisation with the Corrupt Practice Act. At least 20 journalists from various media houses participated in the training.

Law and order, Malawi

Police in Mzuzu ready to combat crimes during the festive season

Maneno Chimulala

Written by Richard Kayenda

Mzuzu police interactive meeting with the media

Mzuzu-(MaraviPost)—Police  in the Northern City of Mzuzu have said they are ready to help citizens in the city and other surrounding areas enjoy the festive season by preventing crimes such as robberies, defilement and drunk driving.

Speaking on Tuesday during an interactive meeting with the media in Mzuzu, General Duties Officer (GDO) II for Mzuzu Police Station, Superintendent Benson Mtajiri, said as police, they know that during Christmas and New Year festivities, there is an increase in crimes and so they are prepared to embark on foot and vehicle patrols; among other measures, to ensure the general public celebrate the season peacefully.

“Let me assure you that the police has put everything in order to ensure that this Christmas and New Year festive season is prosperous and free of crime. In order to achieve this, as the police, we have employed various strategies – some of which we have already shared with you. But the most important of these are: we have intensified both foot and vehicle patrols both during night and day; during this period, we have deployed uniformed and non uniformed police officers and some intelligence officers on the ground – preferably in hotspot areas to ensure that we are free from crime,” said Mtajiri.

Superintendent Mtajiri also revealed that Mzuzu Police Station will soon reopen police units which were razed down by angry rioters last year during the anti government demonstrations.

 On his part, Chairperson of Nyika Media Club (NMC), a grouping of journalists in the northern region, Joseph Mwale, assured the police of good working relationship between the two in order to have a crime free city and also work hand in glove with them in disseminating key information to the general public as regards crime prevention during the celebratory season and onwards.

Mwale said: “Generally speaking, we have had some good relationship with the police. The media and the police have interacted quite well. Of course there are a few incidences where there is seemingly some form of crashing in the way that the media and the police operate; especially during the previous period when we had numerous demonstrations; but in terms of how we fare, generally speaking, the police have been able to engage the media and when we require information, we are able to get it from them.”

Mwale further hinted that as media, they will help the police in ensuring that Mzuzu City and other surrounding areas are made crime free through proper information dissemination.

The police admitted that during festive season, there is an alarming increase in crime rate; hence their preparation as preventive policing which falls under the Malawi Police Service five year strategic plan.

Opinion

Attack on journalists: eating the hand that feeds you

Special Absalom

The Maravi Post learned with shock and indignation of the attack in karonga of a BBC reporters on Friday attacked by some angry community from Mwasota village, Traditional Authority (T.A) Kyungu in Karonga on suspicion that they were bloodsuckers.

The Maravi Post joins the Nyika Media Club in condemning the attack of a Malawian and BBC journalists and describing the attack as barbaric.

Both, the BBC and Malawian journalists went to the area for investigations.

The Maravi Post is grateful for the parliamentarian Frank Mwenefumbo (MP Karonga Central Constituency) who rescued the victims of this heinous mob justice.

Mob justice is never really justice st all; and in this instance it was reaction based on ignorance of the community attackers.

It is difficult to believe that the community have never seen a white man. We also believe that while the foreign journalists are required to fulfill the requirements of informing government of the reason for being in Malawi, journalists (local and foreign) should’ve able to perform their investigative duties without the blessings of the police or the traditional leaders.

Such blessings from these two agencies (TA and police), is endowed in all persons by our constitution.

The police and TA are to be vigilant and protect all persons in their mandated areas.

Maravi Post also urges lawmaker Mwenefumbo to conduct civic education in conjunction with police and the traditional authority as soon as possible.

In is unhealthy for our democratic culture for communities to attacking journalists in their line of work.

MALAWI is not a conflict zone and the anarchy displayed by the community, that has an inherent unresolved issues of widespread fears of witchcraft cases, is tantamount to eating the hand that feeds you.

The journalists are in the area to shed light on a dark and shielded matter. The community should embrace the journalists and work with them to bright to light those that are involved.

We underscore our condemnation of the attack on the local and BBC journalists.

We are here to report news without fear and favor. The politicians such as Mr Mwenefumbo, Police, and all traditional leaders must protect and ensure that journalists are accorded their constitutional right to perform their duties.

Human Rights, Malawi, Top News

Nyika Media Club condemns the attack of BBC and Malawian journalists in Karonga

Special Absalom

Nyika Media Club has condemned the attack of a Malawian and BBC journalists describing the attack as barbaric.

The journalists were attacked on Friday night in Karonga while on duty, in suspicion that they were bloodsuckers.

Nyika Media Club condemned the attack through a press statement below;

17 February, 2018
For Immediate Release
Attack on Capitol Radio and BBC Journalists in Karonga

Nyika Media Club – NMC, would like to condemn in strongest terms, the attack on one of its members, Mr. Henry Mhango and three other foreign media practitioners, by communities surrounding St. Mary’s in Karonga, for allegedly being thought to be blood suckers.

At the time of the incident, Mr. Mhango, who works for Capitol Radio, was working as a fixer/aide, for the British Broadcasting Corporation – BBC journalists, who were carrying out their duties in the district.

NMC has been informed that that the community rounded up the team, armed with panga knives, axes, hoes, and several other life threatening weapons. However, they were saved by some two community members who suggested that they be taken to their village headman.

Throughout the 1 kilometre journey to the headman’s house, they were physically assaulted by the angry mob. One BBC journalist was severely injured, and rushed to Karonga District Hospital for medical attention.

During the fracas, the irate mob also stole almost all BBC equipment, which ranged from drones, cameras, to other accessories. They also stole some personal belongings such mobile phones, and smashed one vehicle, a Mazda Demio, belonging to Mr. Henry Mhango.

It took about one hour for police to respond to the situation, after they were alerted. It took the effort of Member of Parliament for Karonga Central, Frank Mwenefumbo, to have the team rescued.

In view of the above scenario, NMC would like to condemn the barbaric acts. Issues of blood sucking have always been a mere myth, therefore it is very unfortunate that they keep on haunting our society.

As such, NMC would like to call on government, and other development partners, both locally and internationally, to invest in civic education in all districts, so that Malawi completely wipes out this unbecoming belief.

NMC would also like to deplore the delayed response from law enforcers. Life of a human being should always be prioritized, especially where it is at the verge of being eliminated. The 1 hour law enforcers took to respond to the incident was more than enough for the mob to kill these journalists.

NMC is therefore urging law enforcers to be quick in responding to violent scenes, especially where the life of an individual is at stake.

The club would also wish to extend heartfelt appreciations to Hon. Frank Mwenefumbo for the swift intervention, which contributed a lot to helping the irate community understand that there were mere journalists.

___________________________ ___________________________
NMC Chairperson NMC General Secretary
Mandy Pondani Themba Mwale
(099 9 537 972) (088 8 733 151)