Keeping Power in Check: Media, Justice and the Rule of Law
Join MISA Malawi in its two-day celebrations for World Press Freedom Day 2018 under the theme: ‘Keeping Power in Check: Media, Justice and the Rule of Law’.
With this theme, MISA Malawi wants to cast the spotlight on the role of free and independent media in promoting justice and the rule of law.
The celebrations will be held at Mount Soche Hotel, Blantyre on Friday 4th May and Saturday 5th May.
The 2018 celebrations provide a unique opportunity for media professionals, media freedom activists, civil society, government and ordinary citizens to reflect on the state of freedom of expression, including media freedom and access to information. This is especially important as the country gears up for tripartite elections in May 2019.
All stakeholders will have an opportunity to discuss developments around freedom of expression and the role of the media in promoting the rule of law, including free and fair elections.
Day one of the two-day celebration, MISA Malawi will host a conference on ‘Investigative Journalism and Rule of Law: Reporting about Legal Proceedings’ and a meeting on ‘Self-regulation: Reviving the Media Council of Malawi’.
Day two activities include a freedom march, a media debate on ‘Media and Elections’ and a conference on ‘Building an Informed Nation through Participatory Community Broadcasting’. There will also be soccer and netball social matches as well as the awards gala dinner.
World Press Freedom Day 2018 Programme: Friday May 4
Investigative Journalism and Rule of Law: Reporting about Legal Proceedings
Mount Soche Hotel, Blantyre
08:30 – 09:00 Arrival and registration
09:00 – 09:15 Opening remarks
- MISA Malawi
- Basel Institute on Governance
09:15 – 10:00 Presentation one: ‘Foundational Overview on Criminal Court Procedure’ by Professor Mwiza Nkhata, Chancellor College and President of the Malawi Law Society
10:00 – 10:30 Plenary
10:30 – 10:45 Tea break
10:45 – 11:30 Presentation two: ‘The Relationship between Journalism and High Profile Prosecutions: Case Studies from the United Kingdom’ by Nick Staite and Alan Bacarese, Basel Institute
11:30 – 12:00 Plenary
12:00 – 13:30 Lunch break
13:30 – 14:00 Presentation three: ‘Conducting effective investigations: Tips and experiences from Scotland Yard’ by former Scotland Yard Intelligence Officer Colin Ehren
14:00 – 14:30 Plenary
14:30 – 15:15 Resolutions and way forward
15:15 – 15:45 Closing remarks and refreshments
End of programme
Self-regulation: Reviving the Media Council of Malawi
Media Council of Malawi Annual General Meeting, Malawi Sun Hotel, Blantyre
08:30 – 09:00 Arrival and registration
09:00 – 09:15 Welcome remarks
- MISA Malawi Chairperson
- MCM Chairperson
09:15 – 09:45 Presentation one: ‘Reviving and Reforming the MCM: Lessons from Other Parts of the World’ by Albert Shara
09:45 – 10:00 Plenary
10:00 – 10: 15 Tea Break
10:15 – 10:30 Presentation two: Activities update/report from MCM
10:30 – 10:45 Matters arising from the report/minutes
10:45 – 11:15 Constitutional amendments
11:15 – 11:45 Election of new NGC/office members
11:45 – 12:00 Acceptance speech by elected chairperson-designate
End of meeting
World Press Freedom Day 2018 Programme: Saturday May 5
Freedom march and panel discussion
07:00 – 08:30 Freedom March from Chichi Upper Stadium to Malawi Sun Hotel
08:30 – 09:00 Arrival and registration
09:00 – 09:15 Welcome remarks
- MISA Malawi Chairperson
- Basile Fabrice, European Union Delegation to Malawi
09:15 – 10:45 Panel discussion: ‘The Role of the Media in Promoting Free and Fair Elections’
10:45 – 12:00 Snacks/refreshments and networking
End of morning programme
Conference on Participatory Broadcasting OR Football and netball games (parallel activities)
‘Building an Informed Nation through Participatory Community Broadcasting’
13:30 – 14:00 Arrival and registration
14:00 – 14:15 Opening remarks
- Teresa Ndanga, MISA Malawi Chairperson
- Ollen Mwalubunju, Executive Director, National Initiative For Civic Education
- Emmanuel Kondowe, Executive Secretary, Malawi National Commission for UNESCO
14:15 – 14:45 Presentation one: ‘Effective Participatory Community Broadcasting’ Department of Journalism, University of Malawi
14:45 – 15:00 Plenary
15:00 – 15:15 Tea Break
15:15 – 15:45 Presentation Two: ‘Community Radio Association: Review of the Draft Community Radio Association Constitution’ by MISA Malawi
15:45 – 16:15 Plenary
16:15 – 16:45 Presentation Three: ‘Effective Governance in Community Radio stations: Lessons from Other Countries’ by Department of Journalism, University of Malawi,
16:45 – 17:00 Plenary
17:00 – 17:30 Resolutions and way forward
17:30 – 17:45 Closing remarks
End of programme
Games
13:30 – 16:30 pm College of Medicine Sports Complex
Mzuzu and Lilongwe select football and netball teams versus Blantyre select football and netball teams
Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony: Mount Soche Hotel
18:00 – 18:30 Arrival of guests
18:30 – 19:00 All guests seated
19:00 – 19:15 Arrival of guest of honour
19:15 – 19:50 Opening prayer and remarks
Speeches
- Welcome remarks, MISA Malawi Chairperson
- Remarks by UNICAF University representative
- Remarks by UN Resident Representative
- Keynote speaker, United States Ambassador to Malawi
- Remarks, Guest of Honour: Minister of Information, and Communications Technology
19:50 – 20:35 Dinner
20:35 – 22:00 Presentation of Awards: Awards Committee Chairperson
22:00 Dance floor opens
End of programme
