The Catholic Church has urged journalists in the country to continue with their watchdog role in ensuring that elected leaders are accountable and transparent.
The Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) Secretary General Reverend Fr Henry Saindi made the remarks recently in the Southern district of Balaka during the 20th anniversary celebrations of Together youth magazine.
Fr Saindi said press freedom is necessary in a democratic society as it ensures that democratic governments are accountable to the people who voted it into power.
“Free press informs voters about what is happening in their government and what is going on in the world around them. A free press is essential to democracy, it shines a light on corruption and is the champion of the disadvantaged and the voiceless,” he said.
Fr Saindi, who is a professional communicator, called on the media to uphold professional ethics by reporting facts that have been verified and balanced.
“Members of the media must do their part and respect the important public trust they hold. If we don’t have credibility, people won’t believe what we write, they won’t trust our analysis, they won’t value our viewpoint,” said Fr. Saindi.
Fr Saindi thanked Together magazine staff for their untiring efforts and maintaining professional reporting.
Together magazine, published by Catholic-owned Montfort Media Ltd, started in 1996, two years after the country embraced multiparty democracy. The magazine was started to act as a forum where young people could share their joys and problems.
Montfort Media managing director, Fr Piergiorgio Gamba said Together magazine belongs to the youth hence asked them to make us of the magazine to the fullest and take it to another level.
“This magazine is their only platform where the youth can express their views and eventually contribute to the development of the country,” said Fr Gamba.
Montfort Media Ltd also publishes The Lamp magazine, vernacular newspaper Mkwaso and other several publications. It is the media house that published the 1992 Pastoral Letter ‘Living Our Faith’, a letter that changed the political landscape as it facilitated the transition from one party to multiparty system of government.