In a move to demystify the operations of the courts in Malawi, the Judiciary and Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to broadcast some of the work that the courts do. The signing ceremony took place on 23rd September, 2024 in Blantyre.
Through the MOU, the public will have an effective media platform to learn about courts, how they operate, and how members of the public can derive maximum benefits from the courts. MBC enjoys one of the largest audiences in Malawi.
In his remarks, the head of the Judiciary, Chief Justice Rizine Robert Mzikamanda, SC said that it is not by coincidence that the MOU signing was done two days prior to the Judiciary Open Day event to be held in Lilongwe, since both demonstrate the concept of open justice.
“The signing of the MOU and the activities to follow are intended to reinforce the foundations of rule of law, proper and efficient administration of justice, as well as public confidence in the courts as institutions concerned with administration of justice. We believe this is important for our society as we work to entrench constitutionalism, rule of law, democracy and good governance for the well being of our society,” said Chief Justice Mzikamanda.
Speaking to the media soon after the signing of the MOU, Chief Justice Mzikamanda added that judiciaries worldwide have embraced open days and the concept of open justice, and the Malawi Judiciary does not want to lag behind.
MBC will be operationalizing the MOU through a program called, “Taking the Court to the People” or “Khothi Lathu”. The program will feature 30-minute episodes that will air on both MBC’s radio and television platforms.
MBC’s Director of Engineering, Aidan Gumeni, stated that these episodes will provide a unique window into the workings of courts, showcasing real-life cases, judicial procedures, and the fundamental principles of justice that guide courts’ decisions.
Gumeni added, “Our goal is to empower Malawians with knowledge about their rights and responsibilities, to show them how the judiciary functions, and to highlight the vital role it [the judiciary] plays in safeguarding our democracy, human rights, and fundamental freedoms.”
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