DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION

The Department of Information is one of the Departments in the Ministry of Information and Tourism. It is responsible for providing information and news on all government activities in order to inform, educate and entertain the public. 

 

The department  is guided by Government Policies and Legislation in the sector of  ICTs. The department  is carrying out a number of programs in-order to achieve its strategic objectives. For details on the department's achievements please visit the achievements.

 

Provision of information is vital for people to understand and support government development initiatives and to encourage them to fully participate in activities that improve their livelihood.

The Department of Information fulfils its mandate through its six branches:

1.         MANA (plus Photographic)

2.         Publications

3.         Film Unit

4.         Technical services

5.         Research and Planning Unit

6.         Weekly News.

 

The Department of Information's products range from daily news articles, features, photographs, newspapers, calendars, posters, video documentaries and provision of audiovisual services.

 

Objectives of the department

Mana, Weekly news and Publications

  • Gathering and disseminating news and feature articles;

  • Photographic coverage of events;

  • Communications/Resource Centre that acts as a data bank for all government related information 

  • Publication and distribution of newspapers, I.E.C. materials, magazines, calendars and other adhoc publication;

  • Prepare and provide World News Service to VVIP;

  • Library service and documentation;

  • Coordinating press functions e.g. COI, presidential press briefings; and

  • Provide transcription services.

 

Film and Technical

  • Audio-visual production

  • Provide audio-visual services i.e. screening of films in rural areas and facilitates, Parliament relay services to VVIP as well as Ministries offices

  • Repair and maintain A/V equipment;

  • Record public events; develop support communication e.g. production of videos on topical issues.

Research and Planning Unit

  • Conducts communication research;

  • Produces I.E.C material; and

  • Conducting  I.E.C campaigns.

Department of Information's ACHIEVEMENTS OF FISCAL YEAR 2004/05

  • Coordinated training for the department's employees, and some officers are still pursuing studies .

  • Jointly with Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA), the department  started reviewing Malawi Communications Act of 1998.

  • The Department participated in several Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) seminars, on information.

  • The Department Submitted entries for 2004/2005 SADC Media awards Competition  

  • Introduced a concept of information  Desk officer in each Ministry, who will be reporting to the Secretary for Information and Tourism.

  • Received a pledge of assistance from UNESCO for  computerisation of Malawi News Agency (MANA) processes and services. Also received a pledge from United States Information Services to assist in revamping MANA, specifically in the training of information Desk officers.

  • Malawi News Agency produced 3,456 news items on various topics and distributed to all media houses ; 38 presidential functions were covered locally; 4 international functions were covered ; 69 feature articles were produced and distributed to subscribers ; 5    photographic displays were mounted at KIA Chileka and Mzuzu airports ; Over K57,000 collected as revenue through sale of news and photographs

  • Publications section printed and distributed, to readers in rural areas, 2400000 copies of “Boma Lathu” ;  produced and sold 5000 copies of “This is Malawi”; produced 2000 calendars and sold 365 copies at a revenue of K182,740.00; Sold 250000 copies of presidential portraits and raised K4,200,100 in revenue ; conducted 36 press briefings in Blantyre and several in Lilongwe ; and periodically posts “Weekly News” and “Boma Lathu” on the Government website .

  • The Film section recorded 25 events, made 15 documentaries, and collected K100,000 in revenue.

  • The Technical section provided Sound amplification services at 68 public functions hired out sound amplification and video projection equipment to 240 clients and K1,248,500 was collected as revenue , did 43 video screenings ,  and repaired some equipment.

  • Reserch&Planing section carried our mass awareness campaigns on the ground and through radio, TV and print media. Six pilot districts  were covered.

  • 50,000 copies of weekly news were printed , and K738,713.50 was collected over budgeted revenue of K300,000.