Airtel, TNM, Safintra bailout Blantyre Press Club
The country’s two major mobile phone service providers, Airtel Malawi and Telekom Networks Malawi (TNM) have bailed out Blantyre Press Club by contributing funds towards its post-elections review conference this weekend.
Blantyre Press Club is holding a two-day post-elections review conference aimed at assessing the performance of the local media in covering the elections as well as mapping way forward on how handle future elections.
On Thursday Airtel Malawi donated a cheque of K500,000 days after TNM did the same. Safintra Malata Limited also contributed towards the conference with funds amounting to K120,000.
Speaking during cheque presentation, Airtel Malawi Zone Business Manager, Christopher Chitosi said Airtel as a brand realizes the important role the media play in the development of the country.
“This is not the first time we have interacted with media clubs and it is our intention as a brand to strengthen our partnership with the media for mutual benefit,” Chitosi said.
He added: “At Airtel, we understand the aim of the media clubs as being aimed at promoting discourse in matters of national interest, including those pertaining to the role that the private sector plays in the country’s economy.”
He further said Airtel appreciates and understand the role of the media better in Malawi and is aware of some of the challenges it faces.
“Through the clubs we have managed to help where we could as a company though in a small way. Through this donation to the media club, Airtel wishes to enhance and promote professionalism in journalism since the media club intends to use this money for doing its own soul searching regarding how it handled this year’s tripartite elections reporting,” he said.
Blantyre Press Club Chairperson, Blessings Kanache described the conference as of great importance as it would review media conduct before and after elections.
“A lot happened during and after the elections. The media played a major role in informing the nation, and we take this moment to review how we faired in our coverage,” Kanache said.
He described the donation by various corporate institutions as positive gesture in strengthening their relationship with the local media.
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