Promoting press freedom in Malawi

The completely revamped website provides in-depth analysis and commentary, as well as the latest developments in the media and information sectors. Importantly, it holds an extensive collection of papers, publications and legislation in the website's Resource Centre.

MISA Malawi publishes alerts documenting media violations and victories directly to its website. This way, stakeholders can easily track the state of media freedom  and freedom of expression in Malawi.
The website also includes a comprehensive Media Directory, with contact details of all media outlets in Malawi from community broadcasters to newspapers and media training organisations.

“Free speech and access to information aren't just human rights, they're also vital to keeping an eye on what government and other institutions are doing and holding them to account,” said MISA Malawi chairperson, Teresa Temweka Ndanga.

“That's why we have spent months redesigning and reorganising our new website – to make sure those looking for important information can find it quickly and easily.”

To promote the rights to information and free speech more broadly, MISA Malawi plans to provide content in a diverse range of formats, such as video, graphics and text. The website works on mobile devices as well as on PCs to make it as accessible as possible.

DW Akademie, a German media development organisation, provided technical and editorial support for the development of the website.

“With our support for the MISA website, we aim to help everyone, from stakeholders and politicians to journalists and ordinary citizens, know more about their fundamental rights to information and freedom of expression,” said Natascha Schwanke, head of DW Akademie’s Africa division. “And also help everyone know why it’s so vital to support these rights and find out when they are being eroded and how they can be better upheld.”

In a country such as Malawi, where information and documents are scattered among different organisations, “having a one-stop-shop for freedom of expression and access to information is a fantastic resource”, said Sugzo Khunga, deputy bureau chief of the Nation Publications Limited.

The MISA Malawi website was launched with an event in Lilongwe, Malawi, on September 29 to coincide with International Right to Know day, celebrated around the world on September 28.