With the 2025 general elections looming large on the horizon, Malawi’s Minister of Information and Digitalization, Moses Kunkuyu, has thrown down the gauntlet—challenging the nation’s media to rise above the political noise and report with accuracy, integrity, and a spine of steel.
Speaking on Monday at the opening of a fiery two-day Election Coverage Workshop at the sun-soaked Nkopola Lodge in Mangochi, Kunkuyu didn’t mince words. His message to journalists was clear: “Don’t let your pens become weapons for politicians.”
As the political climate starts to simmer, Kunkuyu warned media houses to double down on fact-checking and avoid the trap of publishing rumors and hearsay, which could turn an already tense election season into a national disaster. “Elections can heat things up fast,” he said. “This is the time when a lie can burn faster than a wildfire—so verify before you broadcast.”
But it wasn’t just a warning—it was also a call to arms for ethical journalism. The Minister put special focus on the role of community broadcasters, describing them as the heartbeat of rural information access and urging District Information Officers to form stronger alliances with grassroots media warriors.
In a sharp jab at partisan reporting, Kunkuyu reminded media personnel that they are not political campaigners. “If you love a certain party, go vote for them—but don’t turn the newsroom into their rally,” he said, drawing laughter and nods from the audience.
Echoing the Minister’s plea for responsibility, MACRA Board Chairperson’s representative, Isaac Songea, warned against abusive language on airwaves, insisting that broadcasters must uphold peace—not provoke chaos.
Under the theme “Rethinking Community Broadcasting and Ethics Ahead of September 2025 Elections,” the workshop continues through Tuesday, setting the stage for what could be one of the most closely-watched and hotly-contested elections in Malawi’s recent history.
As the countdown to 2025 ticks louder, one thing is certain: the media will either be the guardians of democracy—or its greatest undoing.
