By Gift Sitima:
Water and Sanitation Minister Abida Mia has urged journalists to be fair in their reporting, saying this is key to building trust and credibility in the society.
Mia made the remarks at the elective annual general meeting (AGM) for Association of Muslim Journalists (Amujo) in Blantyre.
She said stories that journalists publish have a big impact on society, hence the need to avoid fake news.
“I want to encourage journalists to tell true stories and remain professional because fake news brings instability and hinders development. Therefore, they have to tell the truth,” Mia said.
The minister also advised Muslim journalists to play a key role in clearing misconceptions on Islam.
Encoring her sentiments, chairperson for Al-Rayyan Charity Trust, Sheikh Ahmed Chienda, urged Muslim journalists to utilise Islamic principles when going about their work.
He cited the four Islamic principles that apply to the media, namely Haqq (truth and truth telling), Maslaha (seeking the best for the public interest), Wasatiyyah (moderation) and pedagogic (inviting towards good and forbidding evil).
“Journalists should always bring sanity to the society. That is why Qur’an 2 v 42 says: ‘And do not mix the truth with falsehood or conceal the truth while you know,” he said.
The new president for Amujo, Chekaukutu Ndege, who went unopposed, called for unity and inclusiveness among members.
“One of the objectives of Amujo is to improve levels professionalism. I will make sure that every member benefits from the association,” he said.
Ndege commended Muslim Association of Malawi (Mam), Darussunah Foundation, Al-Baraka Charity Trust, Mai Aisha Trust, National Awqaf from South Africa and YP construction for contributing to the organization of the event.
Mam Secretary General Alhaj Twaibu Lawe and Majils Ulama Council of Malawi Secretary General Sheikh Abbas Vinjenje are some of the prominent leaders who attended the meeting.
The AGM was held under the theme ‘Empowering Muslim Journalists to Dispel Misconceptions about Islam And Bring Sanity to The World’.
