Visiting Mtolankhani House in Lilongwe, the base of the Media Institute for Southern Africa (MISA) Malawi, Diaz said the US will also speak out whenever journalists in the country are under any kind of threat.

Diaz visited MISA Malawi offices to discuss, among other issues, the role of journalists in elections, media freedom and countering disinformation.

“The reason why I came here was to talk about media freedom, the importance of journalists in a free society. And as we go into the election season, we want to make sure that journalists are safe. MISA and other organisations must know that the US Embassy will help wherever possible.

“We’ll speak out whenever journalists are unfairly arrested or threatened. That’s the role we take,” she told reporters after meeting with MISA officials, adding the United States will also continue supporting the training and capacity development of the media in Malawi.

MISA Malawi chairperson Golden Matonga says the organisation appreciates the role the US embassy plays as a partner in press freedom and media development.

“We wanted to share with them what we are doing here at Mtolankhani House as MISA Malawi. We are looking into our electoral activities and we wanted to see how they can come in. How do they support the capacity of journalists; the safety of journalists...,” said Matonga.

He disclosed that among the key projects for the elections, MISA Malawi will introduce what he called ‘I Verify’, a tool that will help journalists in fact-checking and countering fake news and disinformation.