MISA Malawi Challenges Journalists to Investigate COVID-19 Funds

Chikumbe admitted the ministry was economical with information Chikumbe admitted the ministry was economical with information - file photo

Fresh calls have been made to the media to follow and inform the nation on how COVID-19 funds are being used.

Vice Chairperson of Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Malawi Mandy Pondani said journalists cannot turn a blind eye or deaf ear on this area.

“COVID-19, yes, it is a disease but it has a governance aspect as a lot of resources are being channeled towards management of this pandemic but how these resources are being used leaves a lot to be desired,” said Pondani.

She said this on Wednesday during a MISA Malawi organized virtual press briefing.

On his part Executive Director of Media Council of Malawi Moses Kaufa urged the duty bearers to involve the media at national, district and community levels on health and other developmental issues.

“Let us build a good working relationship with media houses including community radio stations as they are instrumental in disseminating the country’s developmental programs,” said Kaufa.

During the press briefing spokesperson in the Ministry of Health Adrian Chikumbe scored the media around 80% in objective reporting on COVID-19 amidst social media misinformation on the pandemic.

“It is true that at the onset of the pandemic we at the ministry of health were reluctant to release information about the disease as we did not want to bring panic and confusion among citizens because the information about COVID-19 kept on changing,” said Chikumbe.

Another speaker, health rights activist Maziko Matemba challenged the media to do more in demystifying misinformation on the pandemic and vaccine.

MISA Malawi organized the press briefing to appreciate the role of the media in the fight against COVID-19.

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