Malawi Develops COVID-19 Guidelines for Education Institutions

The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST), has developed guidelines on COVID-19 pandemic to help education institutions manage the disease during school time and on holidays. 

World Health Organisation (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic on March 11 due to over 118,000 cases of illness in over 110 countries and territories around the world and the sustained risk of further global spread.

The education ministry in it's guidelines issued on yesterday, 17th March, 2020 has urged institutions to follow the prescribed checklist for the prevention and management of the Coronavirus in order to help the protection against infection of learners, students, staff and the general public.

Malawians Are Free To Express Their Opinion- World Press Freedom Panelists

Five panelists for this years World Press Freedom Day celebrations have concurred  that Malawians are now enjoying freedom of expression.

Each year on 3rd May, Journalists commemorate World Press Freedom Day but this years celebrations took place on Saturday 7th May 2016 in Mangochi.

During the debate titled "Freedom of Expression In Malawi; Progress Challenges, and Way Forward, panelists comprised of executive member for Media Institute for Southern Africa (MISA) Malawi chapter and Nation Publication Journalist, Suzgo Khunga, Elard Manjawila from University of Malawi-The Polytechnic, Emmanuel Kondowe from UNESCO, Edward Monster, US Embassy Public Affairs, and Justin Saidi, Principal Secretary for the Ministry of Information, Communications Technology and Civic Education both agreed that for the past few years Malawians are freely expressing themselves on various matters.

Elard Manjawila said Malawians at the moment are enjoying freedom of expression and that they are able to freely express themselves in various matters and this was later echoed by Sugzo Khunga who who agreed that indeed freedom of expression which is enshrined in the Constitution of Republic of Malawi is guaranteed in the country.

"Yes, am truly impressed with freedom of expression in Malawi" added Edward Monster, of US Embassy Public Affairs who cited that during his stay in the country he has seen and heard Malawians freely speaking to issues that matter to them unlike other countries where citizens are being prevented from expressing themselves.

On challenges and way forward, panelists highlighted existence of several laws that still restricts Journalists from conducting their job without fear and have asked Government to among others enact Access to Information Bill (ATI) and also called upon Malawians to take responsibility of safeguarding the rights and freedom of expression.

Justin Saidi, Principal Secretary for the Ministry of Information, Communications Technology and Civic Education who agreed with fellow panelists of existence of freedom of expression in the country further mentioned that the country is "making headway" in terms of guaranteeing freedom of expression.

Saidi said there is political will and Government will continue to ensure that Malawians are enjoying freedom of expression. 

He indicated that for the first time and after long time, Government has now taken the ATI to Parliament which is a sign that Government wants Malawians to enjoy freedom of expression as well as access to information from Government.

He further called upon Journalists to work together with Government while assuring that Government will not no intimidate Journalists.

Before holding debate, Journalists drawn from across the country held freedom march from Mangochi filling station to Fort Johnston at the roundabout near Lake Malawi Bridge, the event which attracted attention from onlookers along the streets.

Access to Information Bill Ready for Parliament

Much anticipated ‘Access to Information Bill’ ready for the upcoming Meeting of Parliament.

Justin Saidi

Principle Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Tourism and Culture, Justin Saidi revealed this during the Catholic Church’s commemorations for the Communication Day at Mtima Woyera Parish in the Arch Diocese of Lilongwe.

“Well, we have gone through all the process that are supposed to be followed and what remain is simply taking it to the upcoming Meeting of Parliament” said Saidi

Saidi who attended this year’s Communication Day as a guest of honor at Mtima Woyera Parish was responding to the call made by General Secretary for Episcopal Conference of Malawi Fr. Henry Saindi who asked government to speed the process for the enactment of bill into law to help Journalists easily access to Government information.

Fr. Henry Saindi

“In any country that this has been approved as a law, it is a useful tool for those who are working as Journalists because then, they have possibility of accessing important information that can also help in the development of the country; but without sweating for this information or without having to do as if they are begging for this information.” Said Fr. Saindi

Currently in Malawi he said “those who have the information which has to be disseminated to people at times they don’t serve Journalists.”

“Access to Information Bill if it is turned into a Law, will help the Journalists to access information which they require in order to disseminate to the entire nation. So it is an important tool"

Proper Use of Communication Platforms Vital for Development, Family Life

Arch Bishop Ziyaye 

Proper utilization of modern and traditional communication tools and platforms couple with sharing truthful information to the public is central in accelerating development and deepening of love among people and the life of the family.

During his homily at Mtima Woyera Parish, commemorating the 49th World Communication, His Grace Tarcisius Ziyaye of Lilongwe Arch Diocese noted number of vital roles media houses, journalists and those working as communicators play in spreading of various messages to the people.

Part of the congregation 

However, the Arch Bishop Ziyaye emphasized the need for the appropriate use of information and mediums of communication stating that Communicators must share with public the truthful information.

Bishop Ziyaye who underlined the importance of true love in people’s daily lives, said communicators must have love of God in their heart to help them share information which foster development but not information which influence immoral behavior and strange cultural practices. 

Touching on this year’s Communication Day theme, ‘Communicating the Family: A Privileged Place of Encounter with the Gift of Love’ Ziyaye urged every person to use all communication devices and mediums in a Christian manner and properly exploit them to defend dignity of the family.

Ziyaye said communication platforms should be used to share Godly information and helping people to live a happy family life and move closer to God.

Arch Bishop Ziyaye also praised Government of Malawi for allowing the Catholic Church including other religious denominations as well as individuals to establish their own media houses.

Guest of honor at the ceremony, Justin Saidi, Principle Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Tourism and Culture, also noted the importance of sharing the right information.

Justin Saidi

He also commended the Catholic Church for having Communication Day saying it recognizes importance of communication and communicators in development.

He among others hailed the Catholic Church for establishing number of radio stations and printing houses which he said “helps” to disseminate information about the development of the country and Christianity

“Government alone cannot reach out to everybody, so we are happy that the Catholic Church is doing part of what government is supposed to do and us as government we are committed to work together with the church so that we should build our nation” he added

Earlier, Secretary General for Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM), Fr. Henry Saindi, speaking on behalf of Communications Secretary, also emphasized the importance of responsibility and factual when sharing information. 

Saindi said communicators must always share useful and helpful information for the development of human beings, the church and the entire nation.

Communication Day is an opportunity where the Catholic church reflects the importance of communication in the Church as well as in development of human beings and the nation.