The tour aimed at teaching the students how the print media in Malawi has been evolved from colonial era up to date.   

The students had a chance to learn how national archives plays its roles in preserving and promoting national’s information.

Briefing the students, Director of National Archives of Malawi, Paul Likoma said various researchers and media organisations have used materials from it to produce their programmes.

“We have huge collection of information materials that researchers have used to meet their studies needs either in first degrees or second degrees even in PHDs. Furthermore, some broadcasting programmes on various Television and Radio stations such as Zingayambe Kuiwarika from Zodiak have used materials too,” Likoma explained.

Likoma further outlined that insufficient funds from the government, vandalism, lack of reading culture among Malawians, poor infrastructures and theft are some challenges that the organisation is facing .

He pleaded to the Journalism students and the nation to utilize archives services so that they should fully have understanding of Malawi’s history.  

Daniel Zimba, a second year student of journalism said the tour has helped him to deeply understand how Malawian print media has been transformed from colonial era up to present.

Zimba further said the tour was very important as they got exposed to the experts who managed to explain clearly from what they learnt in class.

“I have witnessed and appreciated the developments that have been experienced in the Malawi print media industry since colonial time. In additional, I have seen the old formats of newspapers and I had a chance to compare them, “he explained.