Misa flags media sustainability, governance gaps
Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa) Malawi Chapter chairperson Golden Matonga has warned that press freedom in the country remains fragile amid poor pay, governance lapses and shrinking support for investigative journalism. In his address during the 2026 World Press Freedom Day Gala Awards and Dinner at Sunbird Livingstonia International Conference Centre in Senga Bay, … The post Misa flags media sustainability, governance gaps appeared first on Nation Online.
Black News 
Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa) Malawi Chapter chairperson Golden Matonga has warned that press freedom
in the country remains fragile amid poor pay, governance lapses and shrinking support for investigative journalism.
In his address during the 2026 World Press Freedom Day Gala Awards and Dinner at Sunbird Livingstonia International Conference Centre in Senga Bay, Salima on Sunday evening, he stressed that press freedom was under strain.
“Press freedom remains delicate in the country and requires collaboration to safeguard it,” said Matonga whose audience included Minister of Information and Communications Technology Shadric Namalomba and German Ambassador Ute König.
He cited mounting structural challenges, warning that failure to act could erode gains made in media independence.
delicate. | Nation
“There are growing challenges affecting the media sector and urgent and collective action
is needed to protect press freedom,” said Matonga.
He singled out poor remuneration as a critical risk to ethical journalism.
“Low pay undermines the fight against corruption, especially at a time when Malawi continues to battle systemic graft,” said Matonga.
The outgoing Misa Malawi
Chapter chairperson also faulted recent appointments of director generals at the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) and the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) , questioning their transparency and legality.
Said Matonga: “The recent appointments of the director generals for Macra and MBC appear to have entirely bypassed
due process and transparency. There were no job adverts. There were no interviews.
“The reforms needed to transform our public institutions cannot be birthed by first breaking the law. We urge the government to fast-track the amendment of the Communications Act.”
In his response to Matonga’s
speech, Namalomba maintained that government is committed to protecting media freedom.
“The government is committed to ensuring that journalists work in a conducive environment in the country,” he said.
Namalomba said authorities are providing space for journalists to operate freely.
“The government is providing a free space for journalists to investigate and bring to light issues that require accountability,” he said.
On the controversy surrounding the MBC appointment, he said: “The government has given the Ombudsman the nod to continue investigations into the recruitment of the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation director general and will respect the outcome.”
Earlier, keynote speaker König set the tone with a call to strengthen journalism standards while confronting the economic realities weakening the profession.
She said the future of journalism hinges on both professional integrity and sustained investment.
“Telling stories that serve the public interest remains at the heart of the profession, with media freedom being central to a democratic society,” said König.
Malawi celebrated this year’s World Press Freedom Day under the theme ‘Press freedom, media viability and economic development
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