Media Institute of Southern Africa : Promoting Media Diversity . Pluralism . Self-Sufficiency . Independence

The Committee is an interim measure while waiting for the resuscitation of Media Council of Malawi which, among other duties, will handle complaints from the public.

The Committee has reputable members who have volunteered their precious time to promote media freedom and accountability.

Among other guidelines, the Committee shall receive and investigate complaints from members of the public, determine the matter, arbitrate and ensure that the concerned member of public understands circumstances and, in the event of an apology, accept to settle the dispute without recourse to court of law.

Media freedom advocacy in Malawi is challenged by the absence of a self-regulation system as those who harass journalists argue that they are only protecting themselves as the media seems untouchable.

Namisa courts legislators
NAMISA organised a sensitisation workshop for Members of Parliament (MPs) to appraise them on a draft Access to Information Bill that NAMISA initiated. The MPs who were drawn from the parliamentary committee on media and communications also made their input into the draft Bill.

The draft Bill derives its strength from section 37 of the Malawi Constitution that stipulates: “Subject to any Act of Parliament, every person shall have the right of access to all information held by the State or any of its organs at any level of Government in so far as such information is required for the exercise of his rights.”
Speaking when she closed the meeting first deputy speaker Esther Mcheka-Chilenje expressed hope that the House will pass the Bill as it will empower Malawians to scrutinise activities in public circles.

“ The Bill, if passed, will be a practical tool in the fight against corruption which the government has embarked on,” said Chilenje.
The Bill is planned for debate during a parliamentary sitting, this coming June.
The meeting was held from December 22 to 23, 2004 with funding from the Danish Institute for Human Rights through the Malawi Human Rights Resource Centre.

NAMISA leads scribes to State House
Namisa led over 100 media practitioners to meet President Bingu wa Mutharika to lobby for a conducive media environment in Malawi .
Speaking at a luncheon Mutharika hosted in honour of the scribes, NAMISA chairperson Lewis Msasa, asked the President to check the number of government officials at press conferences.

“ Your Excellency, journalists are forced to take notes while standing, but government officials sit comfortably, at your press briefings. We propose that only relevant officials should attend such briefings,” said Msasa.
Msasa also asked government to allocate funding for training of journalists and consider waiving duty on media equipment.

Mutharika thanked the journalists for being frank and pledged his government support towards the development of the media.
“ My government will soon roll-out a training programme for the media. This will be implemented over a period of four years,” said Mutharika.NAMISA members hone skills

The National Media Institute of Southern Africa (NAMISA) held two workshops to train its upcoming members on media ethics.
During the workshops, the members discovered that most traditional practices in Malawi media were not in line with professional conduct as enshrined in the Media Council of Malawi code of ethics.

“ Most of us used to quote undisclosed sources, but we have been advised to avoid such practices as they can not be defended in case of a law suit,” said Anthony Masamba who participated in a workshop held in North Malawi .

Speaking at a Blantyre workshop MISA regional manager for freedom of expression and right to information Kaitira Kandjii said most cases of media freedom violations in Malawi were as a result of unethical conduct by the practitioners.

Kandjii advised the participants to be cautious in their work saying “media freedom is not a licence to ridicule members of the public.”

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