By Golden Kang'oma

Salima, June 21, Mana: The National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) Trust through its Boma Lathu project on Friday engaged Salima based journalists on the critical role of investigative journalism in strengthening democratic principles and values.

Speaking on the sidelines of the training, Programs Officer for NICE Trust, Chris Naphiyo said the media plays a very critical role in providing information, education, and entertainment in the communities hence the engagement.

 "Our concern is more on how the media can support the work of NICE. We are doing a lot regarding the strengthening of democracy in Malawi, particularly in looking at development in the districts and discussing factors that can hinder this development.

"Journalists have the authority to ensure that the values we pursue, such as good governance, are strengthened. Through this engagement, we have also heard the challenges media practitioners face. We cannot address these issues alone; it requires collective efforts," he said.

Naphiyo called for collaborative effort to address challenges the media face to ensure success.

"We need to identify and engage with key actors in the governance sector to deal with these challenges through engagement and ownership of the process," he said.

District Information Officer for Salima, Fostina Mkandawire said the investigative reporting sessions are very important and will help in promoting good governance and accountability in the district.

She said: "This training is crucial for equipping media members in Salima with the necessary skills and information to uncover stories and serve the community better. We are hopeful that the media is now better equipped to expose wrongdoings and promote transparency and accountability."

Mkandawire also said as a way forward, they will emphasize on frequent engagement with the media to make sure that they are always on the same page.

 "We will be following up on the stories that the media is covering and offer guidance whenever needed. My office is open to provide help to media members requiring clarification or support," She said.

The workshop was aimed at fostering a stronger collaboration between NICE and media practitioners to ensure that the principles of democracy and good governance are upheld and promoted in Salima district.