Malawi media to lead Anti-Corruption Day commemoration

The media in Malawi will lead in commemorating the National Anti-Corruption Day in Mangochi next month where President Joyce Banda is expected to be guest of honour.

According to a statement from Media Council of Malawi acting executive director Vales Machila, this is the first time the event will be celebrated in a rural district. This year’s  theme is ‘Media, a Partner in Fighting Corruption’.

“The commemoration follows the launch of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy in 2009 and commemoration of the event each year has focused on one of the eight pillars recognised by the strategy.

“What is pleasing is that the media has been recognised by stakeholders as an important player in exposing and advocating against corruption in the country. This is something all media houses and practitioners should be proud of.”

Machila said the media has been chosen to lead the event after the 2010 Malawi Governance and Corruption Follow-up Survey rated it as one of the institutions effectively contributing to the fight against corruption in the country and the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) is on record commending the media for exposing some corruption cases the bureau has successfully investigated over the years.

Highlights of the February 5 commemoration, which all media houses are expected to participate in, will include media briefings, radio/TV documentaries, newspaper feature articles, speeches, drama and media
awards.