Malawi private media owners form an association

Malawi media owners from the private sector on Friday formed a new organization known as the Association of Media Owners (AMOM) with the aim of acting as a catalyst for change in promoting social transformation for economic growth and democracy in the country.

The organization would further ensure accountability of the media to the public and protecting its members, provide a forum for business issues, and support other media organisations such as the Media Council of Malawi and the NAMISA.

The new association is also planning to be affiliated with other international organisations such as the Africa Media Initiative.

At the meeting, Nation Publications Ltd Chief Executive Officer Mbumba Banda was appointed as the association’s first Chairperson.

Other member organisations that were elected to the AMO Executive Committee include Blantyre Newspapers Ltd managing director Leonard Chikadya; Capital Radio managing director Alaudin Osman, Malawi Institute of Journalism Director Dalitso Nkunika, Benson Nkhoma Somba of Galaxy Media Consultants, Zodiac Broadcasting Corporation and the Story workshop Executive Director Kent Mphepo.

The meeting was attended by almost 17 media owners and managers in Blantyre.