By Gracious Phiri
Kasungu, February 25, Mana: National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) Trust Programmes Officer for Kasungu, Gerald Chirwa, has challenged journalists in the district to help in enlightening prospective voters on matters relating to the September 16, 2025 General Elections.
Chirwa made the call in Kasungu on Monday during a training on governance and elections reporting the Trust organised for journalists based in the district.
He said as the country is in an election season, journalists are an important vehicle for carrying electoral messages to the masses so that they make informed choices.
“Indisputably, the electorate rely on the media to get updated on various processes that take place in readiness for elections.
“So, we saw some gaps amongst journalists in the district which we felt the training would help to close so that we are on the same page as we all try to inform voters on issues relating to elections,” Chirwa said.
He said democracy survives on people’s participation and, therefore, encouraged voters to be alert and pay attention to updates on the polls.
“Soon we will be getting into the campaign period. We would like to ask all voters to participate by attending those campaign activities so that their decisions are informed,” he said.
District Information Officer for Kasungu, Wanangwa Tembo, said apart from the actual elections, journalists should also be interested to pursue in-between the ballot activities.
“The period between general elections is also very crucial and as journalists, we must develop interest to write about governance issues that happen during this period.
“Government invests a lot of money funding development initiatives in the communities. It is our duty as reporters to follow up on such projects and in so doing, helping promote transparency and accountability on the use of public resources,” Tembo said.
Kasungu Community Radio journalist, Sellaphine Selemani, described the training as an eye opener saying it will help them report on elections from an informed perspective.
NICE Trust organised the training as part of activities under the Boma Lathu Project being implemented with financial support from the European Union.
