Macra donates K15 million to PRSM

By Taonga Sabola:

The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) on Friday donated K1.5 million to the Public Relations Society of Malawi (PRSM) to go towards debates and panel discussions the society intends to organise in Mzuzu, Zomba and Blantyre in the run-up to the May 21 elections.

Macra Public Relations Manager, Clara Mwafulirwa, said her institution made the donation after being satisfied with the purpose of the panel discussions.

Mwafulirwa said the discussions and debates would help shape the conduct of broadcasters in the run-up to the elections.

“When they approached us, we did not hesitate to help because we believe the panel discussions will promote a free and fair election,” Mwafulirwa said.

PRSM Executive Member, Chisomo Mwamadi, thanked Macra for the donation.

“As PRSM, we decided to help create platforms for the promotion of public discussion related to conducting successful tripartite elections this year.

“The decision was made because the way national elections are conducted affects the image of a country and image management is at the core of our business as public relations practitioners,” Mwamadi said.

He said PSRM reached out to a number of organisations for assistance, following a successful event in Lilongwe in December last year.

“We had planned to hold the debates or panel discussions within March but, due to funding challenges, we were unable to. With this sponsorship packages from Macra, we are likely to hold the Mzuzu panel discussion in the next two weeks or so before we move on to the other areas depending on the availability of funds,” Mwamadi said.

PRSM is a professional grouping of public relations practitioners from both public and private sectors in Malawi.