Bank of the nation, National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc has gifted the sum of K3 million to a grouping of Journalists and media practictioners in the country, Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa)-Malawi to go towards this year’s Press Freedom Day celebrations, which falls on Friday, May 3rd.
The donation is a clear testimony of the strong bond and a quality professional relationship that exists between NBM and the Fourth Estate in the country.
Akosa Hiwa, NBM’s marketing and corporate affairs manager says the bank have presented the money because they believe that a vibrant media is key to national economic development.
Hiwa explaines that they have reached out to Misa-Malawi because they have also had a sound relationship with the institute, citing their sponsorship of the Business and Economics Reporting category in Misa-Malawi awards.
Receiving the K3m donation from NBM, Misa-Malawi Board Member Chikondi Mmanga Kasambara applauded the bank for the timely shot in the arm, saying the money would help Misa Malawi meet some of the financial costs.
Said Kasambara: “We would like to register our profound gratitude to National Bank of Malawi for the timely donation, which will go a very long way towards this year’s Press Freedom Day celebrations.”
She added that apart from being used for awarding best Business and Economics Reporting, the funds would be used for meeting media gala night costs.
Kasambara, however, implores organisations and the business community to emulate National Bank’s benevolent gesture.
This year’s World Press Freedom Day activities are slated for Mangochi between May 3rd and 4th, 2024.
Every year, 3rd of May acts as a reminder to governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom and is also a day of reflection among media professionals about issues of press freedom and professional ethics.
Just as importantly, World Press Freedom Day is a day of support for media which are targets for the restraint, or abolition, of press freedom.
The Press Freedom Day is also a day of remembrance for those journalists who lost their lives in line of duty and in pursuit of telling a story to the public.
Every year, 3 May is a date which celebrates the fundamental principles of press freedom, to evaluate press freedom around the world, to defend the media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession.
World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1993 following a Recommendation adopted at the twenty-sixth session of UNESCO’s General Conference in 1991.
This in turn was a response to a call by African journalists who in 1991 produced the landmark Windhoek Declaration.
This year, World Press Freedom Day will be dedicated to the importance of Journalism and freedom of expression in the context of the current global environmental crisis.
World Press Freedom Day is celebrated, on May 3rd annually, to commemorate journalists and highlight the difficulties they face in their day to day work.
“We would like to register our profound gratitude to National Bank of Malawi for the timely donation.”
Chikondi Mmanga Kasambara
Misa-Malawi Board Member
