Journalists Urged to Promote Accurate Reporting on Albinism Issues
Journalists in Malawi receive training to effectively report on issues related to individuals with albinism, combating discrimination and promoting awareness.
ZOMBA, MALAWI — Journalists in the country have received a compelling call to disseminate precise and balanced information while addressing matters concerning individuals with albinism, writes Peter Ngwenyama.
The call came during a one-day training in Zomba organised by the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace.
The aim of the training was to equip journalists with the necessary skills to effectively report on issues related to individuals with albinism in the country.
Highlighting the importance of this training, Tuntufye Simwimba, Project Officer for the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace, emphasized the role of media in combating discriminatory practices against individuals with albinism.
"We thought it wise to engage with media as a tool to relay information to the masses against discriminatory practices among persons with albinism," Simwimba stated.
Furthermore, Simwimba disclosed that as part of their efforts to mitigate the impact of discrimination, the CCJP is actively empowering individuals with albinism economically.
This is being achieved through the enhancement of socio-economic support and technical skill training.
The goal is to enable individuals with albinism to achieve economic independence, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals and Malawi's 2063 agenda on self-reliance.
Simwimba also advised individuals with albinism to be aware of the laws of the country and to respect the rights of others. He noted, "Ignorance of the law is not an excuse."
Focusing on specific regions, Simwimba outlined the project's scope, saying, "In this project, we deal with hotspot areas like Machinga and Zomba district with funding from the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF), and we are doing everything possible not to leave anyone behind."
Tiyamike Mao Njanji, a journalist from Chanco Community Radio, commended the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace for the training.
Njanji emphasised that the training is timely and will empower journalists to report and investigate issues related to individuals with albinism with dignity and respect.
As journalists gain insights and skills through these training initiatives, the concerted effort to promote accurate and unbiased reporting on albinism issues is expected to have a positive impact on public understanding and awareness.