Malawi Journalists Forms Press Gallery Committee

A Press Gallery Committee for Malawi Journalists has been established in the National Assembly which among others it is expected to promote professionalism in parliamentary reporting and handle matters related to their day to day operations.

The Office for the Public Relations of Malawi National Assembly facilitated the establishment of the Committee having noted a long absence of platform responsible for handling issues concerning the parliamentary reporters and Parliament.

Chief Public Relations Officer for Malawi National Assembly, Mr. Leonard Mengezi says following the establishment of the committee, Parliament expects positive relationship as well as cemented partnership and trust between media and parliament.

He said it was sad to note that there has not been a formal plat form given to Journalists to discuss issues with Parliament although there have been several developments in parliament that required a special fora to handle such matters.

Mengezi mentioned several developments especially negative reporting and conduct of Journalists as some of the key issues “We call members of the media to capture information whenever there is an event but, if there is any misinformation or disruption of facts, you find that the media will always be blamed yet there is no any formal way of how we can discuss such issues.” He said

He then expressed hope that the newly formed Press Gallery Committee will provide a formal grouping where number of media related matters with parliament can be resolved.

“Now with plat form of this nature, when we see that there was some kind of misinformation or negative coverage, we will discuss the modalities of how we can operate and create a conducive environment for both sides to work properly.” Added Mengezi

Suzgo Khunga

The newly elected Press Gallery Committee is being chaired by Suzgo Khunga from Nation Publication Limited

“In the past, the media and the parliament have always been at loggerheads in terms of how we report parliamentary proceedings. So with the coming in of the Press Gallery Committee, this will change because now we will be working together when parliament is meeting in all Sessions and Sitting Days.” Said Khunga