Journalists Audrey Kapalamula of Times Group and Brenda Kaonga of MIJ Radio Station have been crowned best print and electronic health research reporters for the year 2022, respectively.

The two female journalists were named best health research reporters during MISA Malawi’s Gala Dinner which took place on Saturday 7 May 2022 in Chintheche, Nkhatabay.

The two media practitioners have each bagged a Lenovo laptop from Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Programme (MLW) as a prize.

Speaking about the award, Audrey Kapalamula of Times Group said, “This is a motivation to me and fellow journalists to be writing high-impact health research articles.”

Kapalamula wrote a feature story titled ‘The hidden side in antibiotics resistance fight’. The story brought challenges surrounding the fight against ant-microbial resistance which is turning into a life-threatening global challenge.

The other winner Brenda Kaonga, who works for MIJ FM, urged the media fraternity to address the various health problems because the media has a bigger role to play in a quest for better health.

“Writers have the power to induce desired change in a society and it is my plea to fellow writers to continue writing more about health for the betterment of the nation,” said Kaonga.

MLW’s Media Engagement Coordinator Rachel Mhango says, “It was very encouraging to see two ladies from both print and electronic winning the Health Research Reporting category. This was an affirmation that it is not only women studying or working in hospitals or research institutions prioritising science but, women in media are also interested in science issues.”

This year’s World Press Freedom Day was commemorated under the theme ‘Journalism Under Digital Siege’ and in Malawi, the theme ‘Journalism Under Surveillance’ was generated with a call to state agencies to stop stifling media freedom enshrined in the republican constitution.