Media blackout bad for sponsors—Sulom
Super League of Malawi (Sulom) says it is a must for coaches to speak to the media prior and after TNM Super League matches as one way of promoting sponsors TNM’s name.
Sulom general secretary Williams Banda said this in reaction to concerns by Sports Writers Association of Malawi (Swam) that some coaches refuse to grant journalists pre- and post-match interviews during Super League games.
While in other countries it is a contractual obligation for every coach to talk to the media prior and after a match, in Malawi, coaches are at liberty to forego the formality.
Banda said interviews are a part of the actual match and should be treated as other official activities that teams perform for a particular match.
“It looks bad for our sponsors and the league when post-match media reports indicate coaches refused to speak,” he said.
He, however, noted that local venues do not have structures to facilitate proper media conferences after games.
“We need to have special rooms for interviews because sometimes coaches are emotional after games and they also fear for their safety if they remain behind to talk to the media after a loss,” he said.
Swam vice-general secretary Chisomo Mwamadi welcomed the development, saying it will ease pressure reporters face to get interviews after a match.
