Eleven Malawian print and electronic journalists have been
honoured by the Association of Environmental Journalists in Malawi (AEJ) for
their exceptional investigative reporting on environmental issues in the
country.
AEJ also honoured posthumously late veteran journalist Grover
Mzumara, who died in February 2010, for his passion and devotion to
environmental and developmental journalism.
Mzumara was awarded the first ever Green Media Award of
Excellence introduced by the association. .
Nation Publications Limited (NPL) journalist Ephraim Nyondo
and freelance environmental journalist Charles Mkoka, won two awards each of
the 11 categories of the inaugural Green Media Awards.
Nyondo emerged overall winner in the Fisheries and Disaster
Risk Reduction (DRR) categories while Mkoka was the best journalist in the
categories of wildlife and Energy and Mining.
On fisheries, Nyondo did an article on the effects of
overfishing on the shallow waters of Lake Malawi while the DRR award winning
piece was on the plight of the disabled when disaster struck.
Other great pieces of reporting came from Zodiak Radio’s
Grace Khombe (agriculture), Capital FM’s Chinsinsi Moyo (Pollution) while
Simeon Shumba of FM 101 Power won the water and sanitation category.
Other winners of the first ever green awards included Mphatso
Katona of Matindi Radio (Foresty), Enock Balakasi of Joy FM who made it in
technology and environment category with Kenneth Jali of Times Group being the
winner in climate change group.
All the 10 journalists received Galaxy Tabs and hampers
filled with all types of Candlex Limited products.
Speaking during the presentation ceremony in Blantyre last
Friday, Minister of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining Atupele Muluzi saluted
the journalists for exposing the evils of environment.
He said journalists have a central role to make Malawians
knowledgeable on environmental issues and transform their mind set towards the
environment and natural resources.
“The media has a central role in advocating and informing the
public about sustainable practices through investigative and objective
reporting,” said the minister.
In his remarks, AEJ President Emmanuel Muwamba said AEJ
safeguards the environment through increased reportage, advocates for the
protection and sustainable management of natural environment.
“The association members analyse environmental issues as a
way of raising critical awareness to the public, at the same time seeking
attention and redress from policy makers,” he said.
