MACRA Trains Journalists on Cybercrime Reporting, Targets Prison Fraud
MACRA officials say they plan to continue organizing similar events to reduce knowledge gaps among media practitioners and improve public awareness of cyber threats.
THYOLO, Malawi — The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) is urging journalists to improve their reporting on cybersecurity issues, particularly fraud cases, to better inform the public about ongoing scams in the country, writes Moses Thole.
At a two-day workshop for the Shire Valley Media Club that concluded Wednesday in Bvumbwe, MACRA's Director of Consumer Affairs, Kilious Mlenga, emphasized the importance of media coverage in combating cybercrime.
"MACRA is aware of different forms of fraud; therefore, we have arranged different programs to make people aware of these frauds, which are currently rampant," Mlenga said.
The regulator highlighted Zomba Maximum Prison as a hotspot for mobile money fraud, particularly involving Airtel Money and TNM Mpamba services.
Jaison Chiyembekezo, a reporter from Nyungwe FM Community Radio in Chikwawa, praised the workshop's impact.
"The capacity building workshop has helped me a lot to be conversant on how I can report cyber security issues effectively," he said.
Macmillan Mozeyo, President of the Shire Valley Media Club, called for continued training from MACRA.
"We have benefited a lot, and I am so sure MACRA will continue imparting knowledge to our club members. We need to be trained on how to produce effective radio content," Mozeyo stated.
The workshop, attended by about 30 journalists from various media outlets, is part of MACRA's broader effort to educate the public about cybersecurity risks and prevent fraud.
MACRA officials say they plan to continue organizing similar events to reduce knowledge gaps among media practitioners and improve public awareness of cyber threats.