Two major media organisations in Malawi have urged practitioners to formalise their status through professional registration, arguing that accreditation is key to protecting press freedom and improving standards across the industry.
Speaking in an interview, Media Council of Malawi (MCM) Chairperson Moses Kaufa said accreditation remains one of the council’s strongest tools for safeguarding journalistic independence and ensuring that only qualified individuals operate in the field.
“As a way of advancing media freedom, we believe journalists must be independent,” he said.
“That is why the Media Council of Malawi was created, to ensure that no one interferes with how we work. Through our accreditation process, we scrutinise and certify journalists so they can prove they are professionals.”
Kaufa said the system has also strengthened the safety of media workers by helping authorities and the public distinguish trained journalists from individuals posing as reporters.
He noted that Malawi now has close to 2,000 registered journalists, a significant increase from previous years.
“The accreditation helps separate real journalists from non-journalists. Today, anyone with a smartphone, including influencers, may act as if they are journalists. Registration helps the public identify reliable sources,” Kaufa added.
Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Malawi Chapter Chairperson Golden Matonga echoed the call, stressing that registration with MISA is essential for capacity-building and professional growth.
“We urge journalists to register with MISA Malawi because this is where we provide training to sharpen reporters, announcers and engineers so they can improve their skills,” Matonga said.
“Journalists also need to participate in the World Press Freedom Day MISA Awards, which help them assess their professional progress alongside colleagues from other media houses.”
Both bodies say wider registration will raise the bar for journalism in Malawi and reinforce efforts to promote media freedom and professionalism.
