PIM Rev Makondetsa faulted over ‘negative reporting’ sermon: If Malawi is ruled by bunch of crooks, media are duty –bound to tell the truth’

President of Providence Industrial Mission (PIM), Rev Dr Patrick Makondetsa has been criticised for using his sermon marking the memorial service of worship in remembrance of Reverend John Chilembwe at PIM in Chiradzulu to condemn  ‘opposite of the positive’ media for reporting negatively on issues bedevilling the nation.

Makondetsa, who is the general overseer at PIM, said bad reporting that concentrates on failures happening in government, political parties, churches and families is only detrimental to the country’s development.

“This spirit undermines people’s capabilities and skills. It kills the spirit of oneness and most of the time scares investors who could help to move the nation to prosperity,” Makondetsa explained.

He added: “People indulging in this, are mostly doing it out of evil, business and seeking favours.”

Makondetsa remarks comes after Minister of Information, Nicholous Dausi has accused the independent media of putting the government in “disarray”.

Dausi, who is also government spokesman, has particularly picked editor-in-chief of Times Group, George Kasakula and Times TV presenter Brian Banda of being fierce critics of government.

But commentators have argued that Makondetsa sermon was out of order as the media, both mainstream of press, electronic, online media as well as social media is a tool of liberation and empowerment.

The Nation newspaper on Monday in its editorial also pointed out that the media and government are not enemies, pointing out that the media’s role is to, as faithfully as possible; reflect what is happening in society.

“This means that when leaders of a society are God-fearing and discharge their delegated duties well, the media will report the same in the most professional way they can,” reads the paper’s editorial comment.

It said when a country is being ruled by “a bunch of crooks who steal, cheat and lie every minute they are in office, the media are duty –bound to tell the ordinary people the truth about what is going on. And such a role must never be misconstrued as bring confusion or being unpatriotic.

The paper said the democratic system of government require that Malawians have to make the people in high office account for their actions and that the leaders must also be as open and transparent as possible to the people who entrusted them with power.

The publication noted that some Malawians are “deliberately choosing to ignore” the crucial role the media play and are busy promoting animosity between journalists and government, saying it is “counterproductive.”

Leaders are being urged to start looking at the media as a partner and development and not an adversary that must be fought, defeated and silenced.

But Minister of Civic Education, Culture and Community Development, Patricia Kaliati hailed the sermon by Rev Makondetsa, saying it is time for Malawians to be responsible and show oneness towards uplifting the nation.