Central Region news editors have been challenged to reclaim their gatekeeping role or risk losing public trust to misinformation, political manipulation and unregulated digital actors.
Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Malawi Chairperson Golden Matonga made the call during the inaugural Central Region Editors Forum meeting held in Lilongwe on Saturday.
Matonga said editorship remains the backbone of journalism, urging editors to strengthen fact-checking, embrace artificial intelligence ethically and innovate to keep newsrooms credible and financially sustainable.
“Our integrity is our currency. We must enforce transparency in editorial decision-making,” Matonga said.
Media Council of Malawi Executive Director Moses Kaufa said editors are the first point of accountability when complaints arise. He encouraged them to use the revived forum to share experiences, address ethical dilemmas and raise professional standards.
Editors at the meeting elected an interim Central Region Editors Forum Executive Committee, chaired by Gabriel Kamlomo of Zodiak Broadcasting Station, with Janet Mtali of Trans World Radio as vice-chairperson. Doreen Sonani of Malawi Broadcasting Corporation was elected treasurer, while the Media Council of Malawi will serve as secretariat.
Other committee members are Aubrey Kausiwa of Yetu Radio, Edith Kambalame of Nation Publications and Patrick Njawala of Mibawa TV.
The committee is expected to spearhead the establishment of the Central Region forum and support the resuscitation of the national Editors Forum.
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