By Ernest Mfunyam

Mangochi, May 27, Mana. National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) Trust in Mangochi challenged journalists in the district to use investigative journalism skills to provide communities with credible information.

Speaking during a media training recently, NICE Trust, District Programmes Officer, and Joseph Chamambala said journalists in Mangochi have the responsibility to develop the country by practicing investigative journalism which should bring forth development activities taking shape across the district.

NICE Trust expects to implement a three years European Union (EU) funded Boma Lathu programme which will support the trust to sensitize communities on voter education, accountability, human rights and mobilization for citizen participation in decision-making and national development.

The Boma Lathu programme will on the other hand support media practitioners in the district on investigative journalism to encourage citizens to demand accountability from duty bearers.

Chamambala further noted a gap in women, youths and disadvantaged groups’ participation in democratic process hence the need for media to assist in bridging the gap by informing women, youth and disadvantaged groups on issues of democracy and good governance.

“NICE Trust will support civic education and increase participation of women, and youth to participate in democratic processes,  

We believe that through public awareness in collaboration with the media this can help us to address the situation,” he added.

Chamambala therefore expressed hope that the media practitioners in Mangochi will discharge their duties professionally and ethically to inform communities with reliable information to give the communities power to demand accountability on various issues.

District Information Officer for Mangochi, Bishop Witmos, commended NICE Trust for organizing the training describing it as ideal and significant.

"This is an eye opener because we are now aware of core areas of reporting. A lot of development is currently taking shape across Mangochi which requires media to cover so that communities should be aware of what government is doing.

“We believe that this kind of engagement will enable us to do such assignments,” he said.