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„Talking real – zenizeni“, that’s the title of a radio magazine produced by journalists in Malawi during a KAS media workshop. Interviews, analytical stories and features about explosive political issues were broadcasted for half an hour.

In Lilongwe, the seat of government, the thirteen radio journalists had a good starting point to do their research: In interviews with politicans they tackled the current election race of the elections 2009 and the state and understanding of democracy in Malawi. Looking into the debate around health issues, one of the four participant-groups ventured out to gather opinions about wide spread illegal prostitution and risk factors around HIV/AIDS. Another controversial topic was not left out: The high number of road traffic accidents on Malawis bad roads and the often empty promises of government to improve the infrastructure was put together as one contribution to the magazine show. For sure, also this matter was close to many peoples’ heart.

Because of the practical focus of the seminar the participants learned to select interesting interviewees for their stories, to ask the relevant questions and to conduct their intros and links for the radio programme in a clear structure. Their knowledge about professional journalism has been sharpened during the one week long course. For many participants the workshop was an “eye opener” to consider more balance in their pieces and check the newsworthiness of their work.