By Sylvester Kumwenda

Dowa, April 18, Mana: District Information Officers (DIOs) on Thursday completed a three-day training workshop aimed at equipping them with skills on reporting news for radio.

The workshop, which was organized by the National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC) and the Ministry of Information, took place at Mponela in Dowa District.

Managing Editor for Malawi News Agency (MANA), Wallace Chipeta, said the training has been of great importance as it will enable DIOs produce content for broadcast on Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) radios.

“This is a huge milestone for us as a department because it means more outlets for our content and a wider outreach too.

“The task now remains on us to produce more content which will meet this huge demand. I, therefore, urge you to continue working hard in telling stories that support government development agenda and brings impact to communities,” he said.

Chipeta, therefore, asked for more training opportunities for the officers to further sharpen their skills.

He said DIOs still face challenges such as lack of resources like professional cameras, computers and mobility to access locations where development activities are taking place.

“This could be a thing of the past once district offices are devolved as this would open opportunities for more and direct assistance,” he said.

NLGFC Knowledge Management and Communications Specialist, Hamilton Chimala, said as an institution that oversees council activities, they value DIOs work.

“Your work unearths stories of development, social economic transformation of the people and enhances transparency and accountability at council level. That is why we thought of conducting this training to enable you widen reporting skills and create more outlets.

“We believe there can be even more support once devolution is effected,” he said.

MBC Director of News and Programs, Zilani Khonje, emphasized on the need for collaboration among public service providers.

She said her institution will plan for other trainings at regional level but urged DIOs to work hard in telling impactful stories.

DIO for Kasungu, Wanangwa Tembo, was pleased with the new arrangement.

“It is coming at a right time when we have been complaining that some of our efforts and works are wasted in the districts.

“This new arrangement means our work is being recognized and we will have more outlets for our content. I urge my fellow DIOs to work hard so that we show that we can deliver,” he said.