By Rahim Abdul
Malawians must take an active role in understanding global injustices and challenge biased narratives surrounding the Gaza crisis, media professionals and humanitarian activists have urged.
At a recent media engagement in Blantyre, speakers stressed that the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza is not just a distant tragedy but a wake-up call for nations like Malawi to demand truthful reporting and stand in solidarity with oppressed communities worldwide.
Gift of the Givers Malawi Country Manager Sherifa Mia lamented that many Malawians dismiss global crises as irrelevant.
She warned that ignoring such injustices fosters complacency and leaves nations unprepared for similar tragedies.
“Today it’s Gaza; tomorrow it could be anywhere else, even here,” Mia cautioned. “We must learn the truth and not blindly consume propaganda. This is not a religious war it is a human rights crisis.”
Mia shared first-hand accounts of the suffering faced by civilians and aid workers, including the killing of Ahmed, Gift of the Givers’ Gaza office head, and his family in November 2023.
She revealed that over 200 journalists have been killed for reporting the truth, underscoring the dangers of misrepresentation and censorship.
Echoing her sentiments, Palestine Solidarity Movement National Coordinator Asabuni Phiri challenged Malawi’s media to shift from second-hand narratives and actively seek factual, balanced accounts of global conflicts.
“For years, we have relied on distorted perspectives. Journalists must dig deeper, report fairly and not simply echo official or foreign narratives,” Phiri said.
UK-based neurosurgeon and humanitarian Ismail Ughratdar described the crisis as “horrific and unimaginable,” calling on the media to uphold ethical journalism rooted in evidence.
“We are not asking anyone to take sides; we are asking for honesty. The public deserves to know what is truly happening,” he stressed.
The speakers highlighted that the ongoing genocide has historical roots tracing back to 1948, when mass displacement of Palestinians began. They emphasized that silence and misinformation allow atrocities to continue unchecked, making it imperative for Malawians to stay informed and speak truth to power.
