The MISA Malawi Training Centre will help improve the standards of journalism in Malawi and help strengthen MISA Malawi’s efforts to promote and protect media freedom in the country.
MISA Malawi Chairperson Teresa Ndanga said this during the launch of ‘Mtolankhani House,’ (Journalist’s House), a building housing the MISA Malawi offices and training centre. The launch took place at ‘Mtolankhani House’ in Lilongwe on October 30, 2019.
Ndanga said MISA Malawi has designed training modules that respond to existing skills gaps in the sector.
“We will complement the work of other journalism training institutions and run tailor designed courses to improve the quality and standards of journalism in the country.
“The journalism profession in Malawi has its headquarters here, and through this house, we shall work in defense of the truth. It may have been a dream but I hope our humble achievement today is evidence that the Malawi media is wide awake and will continue to promote and protect media freedom and freedom of expression as key elements of our democracy,” she said.
According to Ndanga, the launch of Mtolankhani House is a message to all that the ‘Truth in Malawi will never die”.
The centre will also be training those outside the journalism profession in communication skills.
The MISA Malawi Training Centre has been constructed with support from MISA Malawi members, well-wishers and various partners including DW Akademie, Germany’s leading organisation for media development.
Head of DW Akademie Carsten von Nahmen said his organisation will continue working with MISA Malawi in its efforts of contributing to the quality of journalism.
Nahmen emphasised on the need for the creation of trust in the media saying trust is the only asset that the media possesses.
“We congratulate MISA Malawi for this house. We hope we will help you fill it with life,” Nahmen said.
Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development Kondwani Nankhumwa, who graced the launch on behalf of Minister of Information, said the birth of ‘Mtolankhani House’ brings more energy on MISA Malawi’s work.
“This day marks yet another milestone in the history of media freedom, freedom of expression and access to information in Malawi,” Nankhumwa said.
Chairperson for MISA Malawi Fundraising Committee Edith Tsilizani thanked various companies and individuals for supporting various activities that the committee organised.
In the second phase of the project, MISA Malawi plans to construct a library, restaurant and club house to ensure that that the centre is a one stop shop for training and networking.
