YAS URGES MEDIA TO CHAMPION YOUTH INCLUSION
The Executive Director of Youth and Society Charles Kajoloweka has underscored the need for the media to mainstream youth inclusion in the national development agenda to inspire youth into political leadership.
Kajoloweka made the plea in Lilongwe during a workshop organized to orient media practitioners on the amended electoral laws and other election issues. He indicated that the media must have skills in how to approach inclusive development.
Kajoweka said, “For the media to promote youth inclusion it must have the right altitude, and information when it comes to the inclusion of the youth and other marginalized groups.”
He further says if the media is not well-informed on election-related issues it can also contribute to misinformation and disinformation that can be a threat to credible elections.
“Youth and Society is trying to strengthen the capacity of the community journalists and also challenge them to become champions of youth inclusion into the national development agenda,” explained Kajoloweka.
He says the political landscape must reflect the country’s societal diversity which shows that the youth constitutes 70 percent of the population.
“It is a foregone conclusion that the democracy and future of the country lies on the participation of the youth,” said Kajoloweka.
He also revealed that Youth and Society has commissioned an evaluation of the 2019 National Youth manifesto and was upbeat that once the report is released Malawians will have a fair assessment of how the Tonse-led administration has performed on the needs of the youth as stipulated in the manifesto.
Thoko Kandulu a reporter working with Hossana FM described the workshop as insightful saying he will advocate for youth inclusion in his programming.
He commended YAS for the orientation on the amended elections act saying he will share the same with the radio’s audience.
“I had a knowledge gap on elections-related laws but now I believe I have been equipped with necessary skills and knowledge on how I can keep the community informed on elections-related issues,” said Kandulu.
