Information Ministry Stresses On Objective Reporting

District Information Officers have been urged to report objectively, as the country gears up for the forthcoming general election in September this year.

By reporting objectively, information officers can help maintain the integrity of the electoral process and ensure that citizens have access to accurate and unbiased information which is crucial in enabling voters to make informed decisions at the polls.

Secretary for the Ministry of Information and Digitalisation Baldwin Chiyamwaka, made the remarks on Tuesday in Mzuzu, during an interface meeting with District Information Officers and Technicians from the Northern Region.

“Elections provide an opportunity for Malawians to exercise their right to choose leaders. This is a very critical time whereby DIO’s who are windows to the districts should provide accurate information and report objectively

We are living in an era where there is widespread disinformation and the media has power to change the perceptions of people. This is why DIO’s should take the lead in making sure that people are receiving correct information that will guide them in their decision making,” He said.

Touching on the devolution of the Ministry of Information and Digitalisation, Chiyamwaka reminded the DIO’s to continue sending stories to Malawi News Agency headquarters.

“Although you will be reporting to the District Commissioners administratively, remember that technically you are still staff of the Ministry of Information and your core duty is to support government development agenda through the stories you write,” he explained.

On his part, DIO for Rumphi Manasseh Nyirenda pledged to provide factual information without taking a partisan stance or promoting any particular political agenda.

“We always focus on reporting the facts while avoiding any language or tone that could be perceived as biased.