Mia Calls For Ethical Journalism Ahead Of General Elections

By Edward Rex

With Malawi’s Tripartite Elections just months away, conversations around media responsibility are intensifying — and at the heart of it, a call for journalism that informs, unites, and maintains national peace.

This message took center stage at the 2025 Annual General Meeting of the Association of Muslim Journalists (AMUJO), held on June 14 at Malawi Sun Hotel in Blantyre. The event brought together media professionals from across the country to reflect on their ethical obligations in shaping public opinion during an election year.

Speaking as Guest of Honour, Minister of Water and Sanitation Hon. Abida Mia urged journalists to anchor their work in professionalism, truth, and fairness. She emphasized that the press holds enormous influence — especially during elections — and that responsibility must be handled with integrity.

“The media can either ignite or extinguish the flames of division,” she said. “Let your reporting be factual, fair, and balanced. Avoid sensationalism. Promote tolerance and peaceful discourse. That is responsible journalism — and ethical journalism.”

While Mia’s remarks acknowledged the unique voice of faith-based media, her message was universal: journalism, regardless of background or belief, must serve the public interest — not partisan agendas.

The event was held under the theme “Promoting Peaceful Co-existence Through Ethical Journalism,” a message echoed by AMUJO President Chekaukutu Ndege, who called on members to uphold the highest standards of the profession.

“We are guided by both professional ethics and the moral compass of our faith,” Ndege said. “When we report truthfully and respectfully, we contribute to a more informed, united, and peaceful society.”

However, Ndege also voiced concern about the association’s limited resources, which have restricted AMUJO’s ability to hold trainings, campaigns, and member development programs.

“Our visibility and capacity to retain talent suffer when funding is scarce. We need collective vision and action to grow stronger,” he noted.

The keynote speech, delivered by Dr. Sufian Rasheed from the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS), focused on core journalistic values — accuracy, fairness, independence, and respect for the public. He encouraged journalists to recommit to those standards, especially during times of national tension.

Beyond the speeches, members used the gathering to review parts of the association’s constitution, exchange ideas, and envision the future of AMUJO — which first gained public visibility during its 2021 symposium in Blantyre.

As the 2025 elections approach, one theme echoed throughout the day: the pen remains one of the most powerful tools in shaping peace or conflict — and journalists must choose their words wisely