By Andrew Mwanandiye Tembo
One of Malawi’s leading private media companies, the Times Group, has officially launched its advanced digital system online news platform, E-Times.
E-Times is a digital platform that combines e-editions of The Daily Times, Malawi News, and The Sunday Times, leveraging communication edge technology to provide breaking news, current affairs, investigative journalism, in-depth analysis, and compelling human-interest stories.
Raphael Chirwa, Chief Commercial Manager, said E-Times offers more than just a digital replica of the print editions, as it provides a reimagined experience that allows readers to switch between a traditional newspaper layout and a modern, streamlined digital view.
He further said the key features include high-resolution images, multimedia integration, text-to-speech functionality, customizable font sizes, and distraction-free reading modes.
“This is a significant milestone in the transformation of the country’s media landscape. E-Times redefines how we engage with our readers. We provide credible, accessible, and affordable news in a format built for today’s world,” Chirwa said.
In his remarks, Times Group Editor-in-Chief Pilirani Kachinziri pledged that with the advancements in the e-edition, there will also be high-quality content.
“A good platform blends well with good content, stories in this case, and we promise our consumers that we will not flinch from doing what we know best. We will engage an extra gear to ensure the advancements in technology are complemented with well-crafted stories,” Kachinziri said.
He added that the Times Group has four media-related platforms: Times Press (print), Times Television, Times Radio, and Times Online.
The launch also featured a panel discussion under the theme “Verified or Viral? Combating Misinformation and Reinventing Journalism in Malawi,” which underscores the urgent need to prioritize accuracy over sensationalism in today’s fast-paced digital media environment.
The panelists included Mr. Pilirani Kachinziri, Editor-in-Chief of The Times Group, who discussed editorial integrity, E-Times digital transition, and fact-checking innovations.
Dr. Sunduzwayo Madise, Legal Scholar and Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Malawi, enlightened the public on media law, consumer behavior, and misinformation trends.
Dr. Jolly Ntaba, Chairperson of the Media Council of Malawi and Head of the Journalism Department at MUBAS, shed light on digital literacy, journalism education, AI, and misinformation risks.
Kelious Mlenga, Deputy Director of Legal (Consumer Affairs) at MACRA, assured the country of policy, governance, and oversight dimensions of truth in the digital space that the newly launched E-Times has undergone.
In an era overwhelmed by misinformation and viral content, this discussion reinforces the shared responsibility of audiences and media practitioners to uphold truth. E-Times can be accessed through the website (www.times.mw//entimes), in 20 different international languages, even in audio form.
