By Rahim Abdul
Ugandan sports veteran Andrew Jackson has urged Malawian sports journalists to prioritise accuracy and balanced reporting to help improve football development in the country.
Jackson made the call over the weekend during a training session on the role of journalists in Malawi’s football transformation agenda at the Sports Writers Association of Malawi (SWAM) annual conference in Salima District.
He challenged journalists to conduct thorough research before publishing stories, warning that rushing to break news without verifying facts can damage their professional reputation.
“Journalists need to do a lot of homework and should not rush to break a story without hearing the other side of the story. Too many mistakes in our stories demean the integrity of journalists before the public and weaken community trust,” Jackson said.
He emphasised that responsible sports journalism requires reporters to give all parties an opportunity to respond, particularly when covering controversial issues involving football administrators and other stakeholders.
Jackson also encouraged journalists to practise constructive criticism when reporting on football authorities, saying this can help identify weaknesses and promote positive changes in the administration of the game.
He observed that criticism should be aimed at improving football rather than simply attacking individuals, institutions or organisations responsible for managing the sport.
The Ugandan sports veteran further cautioned that negative reporting could affect public interest and discourage supporters from participating in football activities.
He said journalists have an important responsibility in shaping public perceptions of the game and should therefore ensure their reporting contributes positively to football development.
Jackson’s presentation focused on how the media can become an effective partner in Malawi’s football transformation agenda through professional reporting, accountability and constructive engagement with stakeholders.
The training was part of the SWAM annual conference, which brought together sports journalists from Malawi’s four regions to discuss issues affecting the profession and the development of sports journalism.
The conference provided an opportunity for journalists to reflect on their responsibilities in promoting credible reporting and supporting the growth of football in Malawi.
