By Moses Nyirenda

Lilongwe, September 21, Mana: Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Malawi chapter Chairperson, Golden Matonga has advised journalists in the country to remain non-partisan when covering political issues.

Speaking on Saturday during a fun run that MISA Malawi organized to raise funds for the construction of its training centre at Mtolankhani House in Lilongwe, Matonga said journalists should always remain neutral when writing or covering political issues.

“Journalists should adhere to neutrality in all contexts, it is something we have been sharing with our colleagues in a fraternity that we do not want to see any incident where journalists have been involved in partisan politics.

“It is very imperative that we remain neutral just as a referee in a game of football,” Matonga said.

He added that journalists should maintain ethical standards and present the views of all political parties professionally.

He also said that as MISA Malawi they will not protect journalists who might involve themselves in partisan politics.

“As MISA Malawi we will not defend any journalist who is involved in partisan politics supporting one candidate openly or indirectly, we have to remain as neutral as possible and that will inspire confidence from our audiences as well as our journalism,” he said.

Matonga further called upon politicians in the country to help in promoting ethical journalism as well as media freedom.

Also speaking at the fun run one of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Officials who participated in the fun run, Engineer Vitumbiko Mumba said as politicians they will continue working together with the media in promoting media freedom in the country.

MISA Malawi's fun run among others attracted journalists and politicians who had a run from Game Complex to Gateway Mall in Lilongwe.

The event was sponsored by members of various political parties namely: MCP, United Transformation Party (UTM), Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and an Information and Communications Technology (ICT) company, Lab20 Innovations.