Podcast Training Empowers Malawian Journalists to Embrace Digital Media
Throughout the week, journalists dove into various facets of podcast production, delving into strategies for audience engagement and revenue generation.
LILONGWE, Malawi — A dynamic five-day Podcast Training, launched on Monday and concluding successfully on Friday, has empowered a group of 12 enthusiastic journalists to harness the potential of podcasting for enhanced media viability and sustainability, writes Winston Mwale.
The training, organised by the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) in Malawi, in partnership with DW Akademie, Germany's leading organisation in media development, was hosted at Mtolankhani House in Lilongwe.
The training programme, tailor-made to cater to the evolving landscape of journalism, aimed to equip participants with the essential skills to develop, distribute, and monetize podcasts effectively.
Throughout the week, journalists dove into various facets of podcast production, delving into strategies for audience engagement and revenue generation.
The partnership with DW Akademie brought innovative tools to the table.
In 2022, DW Akademie introduced a MethodKit for Podcasts, a versatile resource designed to facilitate the development and production of podcasts.
The MethodKit incorporates cards in different languages, including Malawi's Chichewa, to support creators in crafting compelling content.
During the training, participants engaged actively with these cards, gaining hands-on experience in podcast development techniques.
The training also focused on audience creation and retention strategies.
Participants explored methods to identify and understand target demographics, a crucial aspect of building a dedicated listener base.
The culmination of the training saw the journalists equipped with practical skills and a newfound enthusiasm for podcasting.
During the closing session, Golden Matonga, Chairperson of MISA Malawi, highlighted the importance of their roles as media ambassadors, encouraging them to venture into podcast creation and monetization.
The trainers were Paul McNally, Teresa Ndanga, and Winston Mwale.
The roster of participants comprised journalists from diverse media outlets across Malawi:
Godfrey Maotcha - Freelance Journalist, Lilongwe
Tamandani Hau - Umunthu FM, Nkhotakota
Mbauwo Chavula - Media Consultant, Blantyre
Anthony Manda - TWR, Lilongwe
Asiatu Chilungo - Freelance Journalist, Lilongwe
Sylviah Zulu Chisi - TWR, Lilongwe
Gift Du Phimba - ZBS, Lilongwe
Rachel Julaye - The Radar Digital News, Lilongwe
Perina Wahara - PLFM/GDTV, Lilongwe
Judith Kasinja - MBC, Lilongwe
Fatsani Gunya - Freelance Journalist, Lilongwe
Kondwani Matope - Yoneco, Lilongwe
The training included the ABC Competition, in which participants, in two groups, had to write podcast-related words, from A-Z.
The journalists expressed their gratitude for the training, which not only equipped them with valuable skills but also provided them with a platform to navigate the evolving media landscape.
As digital media continues to shape the future of journalism, initiatives like Podcast Training underscore MISA Malawi's commitment to nurturing the skills required for journalists to excel in this dynamic environment.