Golden Matonga Awarded Prestigious Hubert Humphrey Fellowship for Leadership and Journalism
The fellowship aims to foster connections between American and foreign leaders to address pressing global challenges, said Matonga.
LILONGWE, Malawi — In a significant achievement, Golden Matonga, Chairperson of MISA Malawi and Director of Investigations at the Platform for Investigative Journalism (PIJ-Malawi), has been selected for the prestigious Hubert Humphrey Fellowship, a Fulbright program sponsored by the United States government, writes Winston Mwale.
The fellowship aims to foster connections between American and foreign leaders to address pressing global challenges, said Matonga.
Matonga will undertake his studies at Arizona State University, focusing on leadership, strategic communication, digital journalism, and investigative journalism.
"The programme promises to equip me with a diverse skill set and invaluable knowledge, poised to enhance my contributions to the field of journalism," said Matonga in a statement.
He expressed his anticipation of applying these newfound skills to elevate the quality of journalism, media advocacy, and leadership within MISA Malawi.
"Exposure to international perspectives and best practises in journalism and media will enable me to introduce innovative ideas and strategies into media operations and advocacy in Malawi," Matonga added.
One of the key aspects of the Hubert Humphrey Fellowship program is the extensive networking opportunities it provides with professionals and scholars from across the globe.
"I envision leveraging these connections to foster partnerships, collaborations, and exchanges with other media entities, both regionally and globally," Matonga said.
With an expanded understanding of leadership and strategic communication, Matonga aims to be a more effective advocate for media-related policies and reforms in Malawi, with a focus on promoting press freedom, access to information, and the protection of journalists' rights.
"My plans also encompass the exploration of capacity-building initiatives in data journalism, multimedia storytelling, and investigative reporting to address critical issues in Malawi and the Southern Africa region," he added.
This remarkable opportunity necessitates Matonga's presence in the United States for the next eight months.
During this period, he says he will continue to fulfil his responsibilities as Chairperson of MISA Malawi, with the delegation of certain duties to members of the National Governing Council when necessary.
"Additionally, while I remain available for press-related duties, the Vice Chairperson will also be accessible for media interviews as needed," Matonga assured.
Golden Matonga's achievement marks a significant milestone in the pursuit of excellence in journalism and media advocacy, not only in Malawi but also on the international stage.