North journalists told to sell Malawi during SADC summit

Northern Region journalists who will cover the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) summit have been challenged to uplift the image of Malawi than dwelling on sensationalism stories.

Acting Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Information Grey Mang’anda made the statement on Friday in Mzuzu as guest of honour when he officially opened a day-long sensitization seminar for journalists that will cover the SADC summit.

Malawi  is hosting the SADC summit in Lilongwe from 10th -18 August 2013 where all heads of states from Southern part of Africa will meet and share-notes on regional international  l issues such elections, social justice, political boundaries,  upholding the rule of law, trade, among others.

During the SADC summit, Malawi’s Joyce Banda will also be handed over the SADC summit chairmanship mantle from the current chairperson Amando Guebuza of Mozambique.

 Mang'anda: Acting PS
Mang’anda: Acting PS

But Mang’anda warned the scribes against copying from the western media who he alleged have for years reported negatively about issues affecting Africa that it is a continent that live with poverty, has no respect for rule of law on elections among others.

Said Mang’anda : “ Malawi will soon be having the tripartite elections and as head of SADC it means all the country’s that fall under this region of Southern Africa will be looking up to it as to how it will conduct itself in its politics hence we journalists have to be very professional in the way we handle our stories to avoid provocation of political figures that can put our country into a disrepute.”

He said Africa in particular Malawi has a lot of beautiful  things journalists can write about that can attract the  attention of the foreign contingent who have the financial muscle to  enhance the country’s economy through use of our traditional culture the beauty  Lake Malawi, mountains among others.

Mang’anda then appealed to the journalists to make better judgments that can promote Malawi image if the country is to benefit from hosting the summit.

The seminar which was organized by Ministry of Information trained scribes drawn from Malawi Broadcasting (MBC) Joy, Voice of Livingstonia, Zodiak, Power-one-o-one, Mij radios, Blantyre newspapers, Nation and Malawi News Agency.

During the seminar, Nation Publication’s Mzuzu bureau super visor Deogratias Mmana, former Media Council executive director Baldwin Chiyamwaka and Steven Chilundu reminded journalists to stick to their qualities of good journalism such as being professional, dressing to occasion, and reading widely to be equipped with issues and avoid getting embarrassed in front of heads of states for asking irrelevant questions.

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