Students coached on IJ
Speaking before the commencement of the main presentation done by Bobby Kabango, the Raphael Tenthani Series Coordinator Temwani Mgunda, highlighted that the aim of these discussions is to enhance the interaction of students and professionals on the real experience of what is happening on the ground in the journalism profession.
During his presentation, Kabango explained that Investigative Journalism digs in the dirt but comes out with things, which exposes malpractices in the government that hinders good governance and democracy.
“Before you come up with an investigative story, you need to plan on issues like the headline, the hypothesis, whether it was previously published, if yes, what new value is it bringing to the current state.” Kabango said.
Kabango who has won a number of awards in writing and photography, currently holds the MISA Malawi best IJ reporter award, further outlined the importance of identifying prominent individuals involved and how they can be approached for their contribution to the story.
“Before you start your investigation, you should also consider ways of how you can acquire information from the sources and materials to be used, like cameras for capturing pictures which compliments the story,” he added.
A fourth year Bachelor of Arts in Journalism student Mwai Namatumbo appreciated the talk which he says has been an eye opener to him about the experience and challenges journalists face in the industry.
Also present were known journalists like Mabvuto Banda, Rex Chikoko, Gregory and Edith Gondwe, Abel Mwanyungwe, Wezzi Msukwa Francis Kapiri and many other media practitioners.