By Brenda Kayo
The Times Group has been recognised for its contribution to the development and transformation of Malawi’s media industry.
This transpired at the Annual Media and Access to Information Conference which Media Council of Malawi (MCM) organised.
The conference, held in Lilongwe, was organised under the theme ‘Upholding Integrity in the Digital Age: The Role of Access to Information in Addressing Information Disorder’.
The Times Group received the recognition for its transformative contribution to Malawi’s media industry, tracing its growth from its historic roots in print to expanded presence in radio, television and digital media.
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Other institutions and media outlets also received recognition in various categories for their contribution to journalism, public communication and the promotion of access to information.
Nation Publications Limited was recognised as Newspaper of the Decade while Transworld Radio Malawi was recognised as a Religious Broadcaster.
Zodiak Broadcasting Station was recognised as a Public Interest Media outlet while Radio 2 FM was named Entertainment Radio Station of the Decade.
Speaking at the event, Information and Communications Technology Minister Shadric Namalomba said the awards were intended to recognise and appreciate the contribution of media practitioners and communicators in providing information to the public.
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Namalomba said the media plays an important role in keeping Malawians informed about developments in the country.
“We appreciate the role that journalists and media practitioners are playing in the country. Without the fourth estate of the government [media], Malawians would not be able to know what is going on in the country.
“We, as government, will continue to support the rights of journalists in the country,” Namalomba said.
The conference also recognised public institutions based on their compliance with access to information obligations.
The National Assembly emerged as the leading institution, followed by Blantyre Water Board and the Higher Education Students’ Loans and Grants Board.
Other institutions recognised for their performance included the Copyright Society of Malawi, Malawi Bureau of Standards, Central Region Water Board, Malawi Revenue Authority, Lilongwe Water Board and Mzuzu University.
In individual categories, journalist Gregory Gondwe was recognised as Resilient Journalist of the Decade while Sangwani Mwafulirwa received an award for Public Communication and Access to Information.
Capital FM’s Al Osman received a Lifetime Achievement Award while Teresa Ndanga was recognised for Women’s Leadership in Media.
