Members of Parliament (MPs) belonging to the Media, Information and Communications Committee have embarked on a nationwide tour of media houses and other institutions in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector.
The MPs, led by committee chairperson Sam Kawale, started their familiarisation tour in Lilongwe on Monday afternoon where they visited multi-award winning private broadcaster, Zodiak Broadcasting Station (ZBS) television and radio studios.
Speaking after the tour that saw the committee visiting ZBS on air studios for both Zodiak radio and television, control rooms, editing suites, Kawale said the tour is necessary as it cements and emphasises the importance of the media as the fourth estate of the State.
ZBS managing director Gospel Kazako implored on the MPs to use their positions to change Malawi for the better.
Yesterday, the team was in Blantyre where, among others, it toured the head office of Nation Publications Limited (NPL), publishers of The Nation, Weekend Nation, Nation on Sunday, Fuko and Nation Online (www.mwnation.com).
During the NPL visit, Kawale said the MPs wanted to introduce themselves to NPL and match the faces and names they see in newspapers.
In his remarks, NPL deputy chief executive officer Alfred Ntonga said NPL emphasises truth, facts and balance in its coverage.
He decried limitations and threats to free press.
In response, Kawale pledged his committee’s commitment to ensure that freedom of the press is not limited.
