EC drills journalists on fair reporting
Malawi’s Electoral Commission (EC) has called on the media to be responsible and professional when reporting on issues to do with tripartite elections.
EC commissioner Elvey Kalonga Mtafu said this on Monday during the opening a five-day bridge course for media practitioners at Shire Highlands Hotel in Malawi’s commercial city, Blantyre.
Mtafu said the media has the capacity to reach to more people within a shortest time; hence the need report professionally.
“The media has a critical role of bringing electoral information to the public and this should be done in a manner that does not disadvantage any contestants,” said Mtafu.
She added that the media has the responsibility of building a well-informed electorate that is motivated and interested to participate in elections.
Mtafu also urged the media practitioners to adopt the use of reason and rationale when reporting saying it should be noted that elections are emotive exercise because every contestant wants to win.
“Every contestant wants to win and the media should be cautious in its reports and make sure the reports do not penetrate hostility, violence, aggression hatred, tribalism, unrest, conflict or anything that falls into in this class,” she said.
Mtafu disclosed that her office is also working on reviewing the media code of conduct to act as reference book and help in guiding reporters when reporting about elections.
