BLANTYRE—Media owners from the private sector in Malawi on Friday agreed to form a new organization called the Association of Media Owners (AMO) with the intention of playing a greater role in the transformation of the country.

In a statement the media owners said AMO will be established as a Trust and will seek affiliation with international organisations such as the Africa Media Initiative.

AMO will do several things. It will act as a catalyst for change in promoting an environment for economic growth and democracy in Malawi; ensure accountability of the media to the public including; lobby for media organisations; protect its members; support media watchdog organisations such as the Media Council of Malawi (MCM) and the Malawi Chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (NAMISA) and ensure sustainability of the media in the country.

Out of the gate, AMO will work to strengthen and revive dormant MCM which was set up to provide self-regulation in the promotion of media ethics in Malawi.

Nation Publications Limited will lead AMO after its CEO, Mbumba Achuthan, was elected its first chairperson at a meeting held in Blantyre.

Other member organisations elected to the AMO executive committee are: Blantyre Newspapers Ltd, Media Institute of Journalism Radio, Galaxy Media Consultants, Capital Radio Malawi Ltd, Zodiac Broadcasting Services and Story Workshop.
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©2012 The Maravi Post. Reproduction authorised, with usual acknowledgment.