Airtel Malawi powers media freedom celebrations for 8th consecutive year: K3.5mil towards gala dinner and Business Journalist of the year award
A friend in need is a friend indeed. Airtel Malawi has boosted this year’s World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) celebrations with a K3.5 million cheque donation to the Misa-Malawi, the local chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa.
The cheque presentation took place on Wednesday, May 3, 2017 in Lilongwe, where the giant mobile company pledged its continued commitment to uplift press freedom in the country.
According to Airtel Malawi’s CSR & Corporate Communications Manager Norah Chavula-Chirwa, the money is a contribution towards the Misa-Malawi Awards Gala Night and the Business Journalist of the year award (print and electronic) category.
“We are excited to partner with Misa-Malawi for the eighth year running and this partnership is there to stay. As one of the key players in the communications sector, Airtel appreciates the role the media plays in dissemination information that is vital for the socio-economic development of the country,” said Chavula-Chirwa.
Misa-Malawi outgoing chairperson Thom Khanje, who received the cheque on behalf of the chapter hailed Airtel for the support the company has been rendering towards the growth of the media in the country.
“Airtel has been one of our major partners for the past eight years. They are now becoming our life partner and we are looking forward to even more exciting years of this partnership,” said Khanje.
The World Press Freedom Day falls on May 3 every year but Misa-Malawi will commemorate the day on Saturday, May 6, 2017 with a number of activities during the day before the main event- the Awards gala Night at Bingu International Conference Centre, where outstanding journalists from various media houses will be honoured.
Activities for the day include football and netball games involving journalists from North, Central and Southern regions at Civo Upper Stadium, a Freedom March from Lilongwe Hotel to Riverside Hotel, where the body will have its annual general meeting and a panel discussion on Free Expression and access to Information in Malawi, amongst other activities.
The theme for this year’s celebrations is ‘Critical Minds for Critical Times.’
