Honoring the Media’s Role in Elections

The past week was significant for journalists in the country as they celebrated World Press Freedom Day (WPFD). This year marked 30 years since the day was set aside by the United Nations to celebrate and reflect on the role the media plays in various spheres of society, more especially in fostering democracy, good governance, and accountability.

In Malawi the day was celebrated under the theme: Shaping a Future of Rights; Free Expression as a Driver For All Other Rights. A number of activities took place in Lilongwe this week as part of the celebration including a freedom march, public debates, and awards gala dinner. Alongside the celebration of WPFD, members of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Malawi went to the polls to elect a National Governing Council to provide leadership for the next three years.

The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) offered balloting services for the polls that took place in Blantyre, Lilongwe, and Mzuzu. We congratulate the new leadership led by Mr. Golden Matonga.

In celebrating the WPFD, we cherish media freedom and reflect on the media's role in elections. Elections are a cycle, not an event, which means the interest of the media in elections should also be throughout the cycle. Media reporting on electoral issues should not be concentrated during the election period only. Media should even be critical during the in-between the ballot period ensuring that the MEC is preparing well for the next elections as per its commitments. Sustained media reporting on elections will translate into an interested citizenry that will be informed about electoral processes and even help counter voter apathy.

The need for free and unhindered freedom of the press and freedom of expression needs no emphasis. We are blessed in Malawi that these two important values are enshrined in the Constitution.

The media play a crucial role in the elections by ensuring that the voters are well informed about their right to participate, motivated to participate in the various electoral processes, and that they trust the various processes, structures, and systems put in place to properly run the election.

In view of this, it’s imperative that the media should be open, free, and independent to constantly inform the electorate about the various electoral processes, their rights, and responsibilities. Professional media ensures that citizens are well-informed and can make independent and informed decisions.

As we celebrate WPFD we should also focus on the role social media has increasingly come to play in our society and elections period inclusive. Social media has become prone to pseudo-characters and impostors who have abused it to victimize innocent institutions and persons. Media practitioners should remember that media ethics still apply to online platforms, and they should be conscious of that.

On its part, MEC will undertake to proactively make all information available to the press regarding the activities being implemented. The Commission is aware of the Access to Information Act provision and has put in place measures to actualize it.

On this momentous occasion, the Commission sends its heartfelt wishes to all media professionals across the nation.

(Photo credits: Bayana Chunga- The Times Group)

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