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Malawi Media Freedom Committee officially launched

2021-10-19. The launch of the Malawi Media Freedom Committee (MFC) underlines the importance of a free press in holding power to account.

Image by David Peterson from Pixabay

by Andrew Heslop andrew.heslop@wan-ifra.org | October 19, 2021

By Alexander Fitoussi

On Thursday October 14th at 2:00 PM, a digital room was full of media professionals waiting for the big announcement: the launch of the Malawi Media Freedom Committee (MFC).

MFC Chairman Gracian Tukula began the conference by detailing the newly formed MFC’s goals and objectives, such as the documentation and advocacy of media freedom and of maintaining a local focus with the tools of a global network. There are currently eight other MFC chapters in Africa alone, 20 globally.

Co-chairperson Habiba Osman continued the conversation by explaining the MFC’s plans to build up the capacity of its members through peer-to-peer workshops and by networking with other MFC chapters across the continent. Their other objectives include working on critical topics not often addressed such as mental health and wellness as well as to continue fundraising for local causes. 

The conference was led by the guest of honor, the commissioner of the Malawi Human Rights Committee, Baldwin Chiyamwaka. He reiterated in an in-depth speech the importance of a free press, the checks and balances that journalists provide to a free society, and the ongoing effort to enshrine these rights into law in Malawi. Chairperson Tukula ended officially launching the MFC in Malawi with excitement and determination exclaiming, “Let’s do this!”


Find out more about our Media Freedom Committee network

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