By Shameema Hajji and William Simwela:
The Media Institute of Southern Africa Malawi Chapter (MISA Malawi) has called on radio stations and broadcasters to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) responsibly and in line with journalistic ethics as the country commemorates World Radio Day.
In a statement released Friday to mark the annual event, MISA Malawi urged radio institutions to ensure that AI remains a tool for enhancing production quality rather than replacing human judgment and voices.
The commemoration comes barely a day after Justice Kenyatta Nyirenda delivered a strongly worded judgment criticising journalists and media houses for what he described as careless and misleading reporting.
In his February 12 ruling in Major General Francis Blessings Kakhuta Banda & Others v. Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Nyirenda launched a sharp attack on journalists and the media saying some reporters produce stories that are “utterly unfounded and without merit but just full of rhetoric and propaganda.”
He added that journalists often misunderstand court proceedings and misuse press freedom as a shield for incompetence.
The judge also criticised a radio station for illustrating stories about Malawian judges with photographs of foreign jurists, describing the act as “vincible ignorance.”
Against this backdrop, MISA Malawi emphasised that while AI presents opportunities for innovation, it also carries risks if used irresponsibly.
“AI opens a new chapter not just for innovation but for deepening the bond between radio stations, personalities and their listeners,” reads the statement signed by its chairperson,Golden Matonga.
The media body warned that the growing adoption of AI in content creation, editing and voice simulation could potentially be abused to misinform audiences if transparency and professional standards are not upheld.
“Radio stations and personalities should not (ab)use AI to create content without openly acknowledging the practice and alerting the listener,” further reads the statement,adding “Ethical journalism demands transparency in any use of AI in overall radio production.”
MISA Malawi further urged broadcasters to avoid replacing human presenters with AI-generated voices, stressing that human involvement remains critical in ensuring information integrity and maintaining public trust.
World Radio Day is commemorated every February 13 to recognise the role of radio in amplifying voices, promoting access to information and serving as a readily accessible medium for millions of people globally.
This year’s theme highlights the balance between technological advancement and ethical responsibility in broadcasting.
