Minister of Information and Digitalization Moses Kunkuyu has urged Journalists in the country to make use of National Economic Empowerment Funds (NEEF) loans if they are to be economically independent.

Kunkuyu said this in Blantyre during a stakeholders meeting organized by NEEF led by its Chief Executive Officer Humphrey Mdyetseni in partnership with Southern Region Press Club.

The meeting was aimed at sensitizing journalists in the country on the uptake of NEEF loans since its rebranding in 2020.

In his speech Kunkuyu said Journalists in the country are living a miserable life and this is compromising professionalism in their course of work.

“It’s sad that most of our journalists in the country are on the receiving end when it comes to loans uptake and most of them are living a miserable life because of the meager salaries.

“I urge you journalists to venture into farming and other activities aside your job. Neef loans are also for you journalists and make use of it. If you don’t have collateral, Ministry of Information will act as a collateral for you because the Ministry knows you all,” said Kunkuyu while attracting ululations from Journalists.

On his part Mdyetseni said the door is open for journalists to access the loans.

He also urged journalists in the country to sensitize the masses on the importance of NEEF loans to the economy of the country especially the farm input loans where farmers are being given fertilizers.

Mdyetseni said the loan will help in averting the hunger crisis being experienced in the country in the years to come if it is properly utilized.

Southern Region Press Club President Ronald Amosi hailed NEEF for the interface meeting saying the meeting is an eye opener to many journalists in the country.

He then appealed to companies to the country to partner with the club.