TOWARDS AN ALL-INCLUSIVE MEDIA Preamble I present my nomination for the position of MISA Malawi Vice Chairperson. Misa-Malawi paid up member of the past seven years, I have been privileged to participate in various developments within the organisation and I believe I have acquired enough knowledge to take up the challenging role of Vice Chairperson. Being a young journalist, I have had the privilege of associating and interacting with both senior and younger members of the profession. This interaction is very important for the Malawi media as the current crop of journalists, to which I belong, will soon take over the leading role. But we cannot take up such a challenge without interactions, listening and learning from the seniors present. We need their wisdom and I feel properly positioned to provide such a bridge. This strength also enables me to understand, share and appreciate the needs and aspirations of the average member of the fraternity hence, I count myself to be in a better position to promote the interests of an average journalist in Malawi in the NGC. Having spent many years as a reporter, I have gone through all the usual challenges faced by an average reporter. Through this bid for the position of Vice Chairperson of Misa, I humbly request fellow members of the association to allow me serve them in that capacity and give me a chance to use my experience and knowledge to help in the promotion of better welfare for journalists in Malawi. Here with my strategic plan 1. MISA is a reputable and credible media body that advocates for media freedom in the country by engaging authorities at every level of society. With the support of the new NGC, I will advocate for media freedom and fight against any attempt to curtail that freedom through any other means including enactment of repressive laws. 2. As a way of gaining the necessary support through advocacy, I will strive to not only engage authorities and relevant stakeholders, but also publicize any of our efforts at both local and international level. 3. One of the key issues that continue to kill our professionalism is poor remunerations for journalists. I will therefore, advocate for improved welfare of journalists through better remunerations by creating partnerships between Misa, Journalists Union of Malawi (Juma) and the Media Council of Malawi for a joint effort aimed at fighting for better salaries for journalists in Malawi. 4. A majority of the current crop of journalists is relatively new in the profession. There is need therefore to advocate for more training opportunities, especially for younger journalists, to promote improved professional capacity. 5. MISA managed to coordinate the formulation of Access to Information Policy, which supports the Access to Information Bill for it to turn into law. So much ground work gas been done but there is still need for continuity in terms of lobbying government and other stakeholders to ensure that Access to Information becomes a law. This is another of my key mission as Misa Vice Chairperson. My vision is the attainment of an all-inclusive motivated, strong, vibrant, truly independent and commercially viable media in Malawi. However, I can only take MISA Malawi to greater heights with your support and confidence. Voting for me as MISA Vice Chairperson is voting the change we need and the change begins now. About Yvonnie Sundu An accomplished broadcast and print journalist, Yvonnie has about 8 years experience in media work and part time public speaking jobs. Over the years, she has carved for herself a distinguished career in journalism in Malawi, having worked with, among others, MIJ FM and Joy Radio (where she rose from a reporter to sub-editor) and currently, with the Nation Publications Limited (as a reporter). She has a Diploma in Journalism from the Malawi Polytechnic.
Posted on: Mon, 01 Dec 2014 10:12:49 +0000
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