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Malawi’s community radio stations are partnering with the Malawi Institute of Journalism to improve journalism standards and the newsroom experience for their presentation teams.
Many community radio stations in Malawi have long relied on volunteers with little or no formal journalism training. Media experts say a lack of professional skills has often affected the quality of reporting and programming in most community radio stations. Now, MIJ, Malawi’s only institution dedicated to journalism training, is bridging that gap through collaborations with community broadcasters.
MIJ academic manager, Murray Siyasiya, says the partnerships are designed to create long-term collaboration between the institution and community radio stations. “We aim to strengthen the professional capacity of radio staff members through targeted training while also providing internship and experiential learning opportunities for MIJ students,” he says. He adds that the collaboration will promote public awareness campaigns and improve the quality and credibility of community media practice in Malawi.
According to the agreement, MIJ FM will be broadcasting adverts, announcements and awareness campaigns from community radios to help them amplify their reach. “Where possible, we will offer co-hosting opportunities with partnering stations or broadcast their selected programs,” says Siyasiya.
MIJ also plans to roll out specialized training programs covering news writing and reporting, editing and newsroom management, broadcast presentation and production, digital media skills, media ethics, and community journalism. In return, the community radio stations will be hosting MIJ students for internships and practical newsroom training. “The stations will provide a professional learning environment where interns from MIJ can gain hands-on experience in broadcasting, reporting, production and community communication,” Siyasiya explains.
The stations will provide a professional learning environment where interns from MIJ can gain hands-on experience in broadcasting, reporting, production and community communication
Malawi Institute of Journalism academic manager, Murray Siyasiya
So far, MIJ has signed partnership agreements with three stations: Kasungu community radio station, Mzimba community radio station and MAU (Malawi Adventist University) community radio station. Dr. Chisomo Ngala, dean of academics at MAU, says the collaboration is expected to boost professionalism and expand the station’s impact in surrounding communities. “There is quite a lot to learn from an existing broadcaster like MIJ FM, which has already built a reputation as a professional radio station in Malawi,” says Ngala. “We believe this partnership will give us an edge in mentorship, professional growth and community impact.”
Ngala adds that the arrangement will also help expand the station’s listenership by co-airing programs and announcements on MIJ FM, which broadcasts nationwide. MIJ says it is open to more partnerships with community radio stations interested in promoting professional journalism and skills development in the country, where radio remains the most accessible and trusted source of information for rural populations.
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