Director of Local Government Services in the Ministry of Local government, Richard Hara has challenged the media in the country to engage an extra gear in reporting issues of local governance.

Hara made the call on Wednesday in Salima when he opened an orientation for journalists on Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) guidelines organised by the National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC).

He said it is not pleasing to see that journalists concentrate on reporting on other issues leaving behind issues of governance unreported despite having many success stories on the ground.

“There is a whole series of success stories and progress that never makes it into mainstream media. This is sad and I hope with this orientation media shall become our ambassadors to the nation,” said Hara.

He added: “Indeed, if one browses much of media content in this country one may find limited positive coverage of local government content. I am hopeful we are turning the page with this orientation.”

The Director pointed out that much as the ministry values the relationship they have with the media and the critical role it plays in communicating vital messages to the people in the local governments, there is still more that the media can do in enlightening communities on issues of local governance through dissemination of the right information to them.

“You may wish to know, that media due to absence of such interfaces, has at times not performed their duties objectively leading to misinformation or poor quality messaging or even lack thereof, particularly on media coverage pertaining to fiscal decentralisation and financial management issues. Our hope is that the orientation will address these issues,” he said.

Commenting on the development, Acting Executive Director of NLGFC Dr Kondwani Santhe said the committee looks at the media as a resource for information dissemination to the rural masses.

“We need communities out there to know what GESD is all about and probably take part in ensuring that there is smooth implementation of such projects in their areas.”

One participant Themba Mwale of Voice of Livingstonia radio who is also executive member of MISA Malawi said through the expertise gained through the workshop, he will be able to follow up with respective councils on the adherence to the indicators and triggers that eventually enable councils to secure GESD funds.

He said: “As watchdogs of the society, we will now be able to engage councils from a point of knowledge, to ensure the fulfilment of the minimum access conditions and triggers. These include ensuring that they have audited accounts, the required personnel and other requirements.”

Mwale added that the orientation has given the media a useful resource that will now help them provide checks and balances to development projects under GESD as well as District Development Fund (DDF).

During the orientation, a media network on governance to enable service delivery reporting was formed with Patrick Botha of Malawi News Agency elected President and Eunice Ndhlovu of MBC Secretary General.

Reported by Grace Kapatuka