By Our Reporter
The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Malawi has expressed disappointment over Information Minister Shadric Namalomba’s decision to stop granting phone interviews to journalists, citing concerns over distortion.
The move has been described as an “unfortunate development” by MISA Malawi Chairperson, Golden Matonga, who emphasizes that journalists rely heavily on access to duty bearers to provide accurate and balanced information to the public.
Speaking to Capital FM, Matonga stressed that the ability of journalists to reach out to government officials is crucial in providing clarity on various issues.
“Journalists thrive because of access to duty bearers,” he said, highlighting the importance of this interaction in ensuring that citizens are well-informed about government policies and decisions.
Namalomba announced his decision in a Facebook post, arguing that his statements were often misrepresented.
However, Matonga believes that restricting access could undermine the media’s role in informing citizens and instead advocates for dialogue between the minister and the media to address any concerns.
MISA Malawi plans to engage with the minister to resolve the matter and ensure continued interaction between the media and the Ministry of Information.
“We would like to see the minister and the media engage if there are issues that have pushed him to make this position,” Matonga said, emphasizing the need for direct engagement between public officials and journalists as a critical channel for government communication with the general public.
The institute believes that it is through such engagement that the country can understand government policies and decisions.
Matonga added that MISA Malawi will work with the minister to ensure that he continues to communicate effectively with the public, as this is essential for transparency and accountability.
