In a recent controversy, Pride Magazine has once again exposed its publishing deficiencies and standards-void for its failure to substantiate alarming claims regarding a purported assassination plot against Saulos Chilima.
In a headline splash, the magazine asserted that Chilima was assassinated and that he was forewarned of an imminent threat to his life, quoting him as saying, “ndiye tidzaphedwa anthu ambiri. Nanga mundegemo ndimakhalamo ndekha?” which loosely translates to “then many of us will killed. Do I fly alone in the plane?”
The marketing campaign promising sensational insights led officials from UTM party to buy multiple copies of the magazine for distribution among party members, expecting to leverage what they thought was a crucial message.
However, disappointment soon set in as the magazine’s storyline hinged on allegations of a warning allegedly relayed to Chilima from an unnamed ‘prophetess.’
The vague nature of the claims and the lack of credible sources have raised significant concerns among readers who have condemned the publication in their social media online comments.
UTM party officials have also expressed frustration over the magazine’s ability to generate strong front-page screams without tangible narrative in its story content. Some have even doubted that there is any ‘prophetess’ who relayed any such message to Chilima.
The reliance on fabrications rather than factual reporting has led critics to label the once respected magazine’s editorial practices as sensationalist and misleading.
“This is a disservice to the public and the integrity of journalism. We expected more substance, especially on matters as serious as threats to life,” lamented a UTM a journalist Zuze on his social media page.
As backlash ensues, Pride Magazine must navigate the treacherous waters of public perception and credibility, or risk being relegated to the realm of tabloid journalism.
The magazine has yet to address the mounting criticism or provide clarity on the alarming headline that has generated more buzz than facts. In the meantime, the call for responsible reporting remains ever more urgent in today’s media landscape.
