Journalists Asked to Uncover Corruption

Malawi Economic and Justice Network (Mejn) has challenged journalists and civil society organisations (CSOs) to expose those who engage in corrupt practices.

Mejn Programmes Manager, Kelvin Chirwa, said journalists and the CSOs have a role to play in holding government accountable by, among other things, monitoring development activities taking place in the country.

Chirwa made the remarks in Mzuzu during training for Northern Region media and CSOs on Global Financing Facility (GFF) Processes aimed at building capacity in reproductive, maternal newborn babies and child health.

“Journalists and civil society organisations have an oversight role to play in ensuring that there is prudent use of public resources. I, therefore, urge you [media and CSOs] to help fight corruption by making sure that you help in tracking down all development activities that the government is undertaking and expose any suspected corrupt deals for action,” Chirwa said.

One of the facilitators at the workshop, Dingani Mithi, concurred with Chirwa, saying the media and CSOs have the capacity to ensure that there is efficiency, transparency and accountability on funding allocated to public developments.

“Malawi has a history of mismanaging its resources. Fortunately, the media and CSOs have the capacity to address these challenges by exposing the perpetrators and taking them to task,” he said.

Gracian Mbewe of Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation said corrupt practices negatively affect national development and should be curbed.

The latest Corruption Perception Index by Transparency International ranks Malawi on position 120 from 122 last year.