Bright Sonani; Malawian Journalist/News Analyst/Fixer
This is Bright Isaacs Sonani’s blog.
I am a Malawian Journalist/News Analyst/Fixer currently working as a News Analyst with the Nation Publications Limited (NPL) the largest newspaper publishing company in Malawi which publishes The Nation, a daily paper, The Weekend Nation; Nation on Sunday and Nation Online (www.mwnation.com). I am based in Lilongwe, the Capital City of Malawi. Before joining NPL I worked for Blantyre Newspapers Limited (BNL) publishers of the Malawi News, Daily Times, Sunday Times, Weekend Times and Times Online (www.bnltimes.com).
At BNL I rose through the ranks from a Reporter to a Senior Reporter and then to Chief Reporter at the Malawi News. In 2002 I was part of the team from all over the world that covered the Mozambican floods. He covered the floods in Beira.
I have several journalism awards including National Media Institute of Malawi (NAMISA) Journalist of the Year 2009 as as well as Business Journalist of the same Year.
I am currently a member of the Forum for African Investigative Reporters (FAIR) an association for investigative journalists from across the continent of Africa, which has its headquarters in Johhannessburg and I was a member of the Malawian team that did the investigative dossier on drug shortage across Africa entitled: In spite of promises, essential drugs remain out of Africa’s reach. See http://fairreporters.org/?showcontent_home&global[_id]=877 for details of the dossier and the full dossier itself.
Contacts: Private Bag B419, Lilongwe, Malawi
Telephone numbers: 265 (0) 1 771 738 or 265 (0) 1 770 666
Mobile: 265 (0) 99 9 512 846 or 265 (0) 88 4 341 194
E-mail: brightsonani@gmail.com or brightsonani@nationmw.net
Dear Bright,
Thank you for your article on Bingu ‘s stand on Unima Lecturers. However, I wish the article were more analylitical than descriptive bearing in mind that you profess to be a news analyst. The article is typical of the articles that we are reading in our local papers averyday. As a Media studies lecturer at Chanco I have noted with concern that the local media coverage of the strike has lacked depth. I havent seen any journalist coming to Chancellor College to interview people on the ground. There hasnt been any article that has synthesised the views of parents, staff, first year students who are curently at campus but doing nothing, continuing students who are at home indefinitely, civil society, etc. After Bingu’s remarks I expeceted an article like the one you have written at least to say something about how Malawians in general and University stafff have received the insult that our dignified professors have received from our Chancellor.
I would appreciate a response. Thank you.
Sydney Kankuzi (MA)
Dear Bright,
Thank you for the blog. I did not know you have a blog. Keep the fire burning.You can view mine on http://www.mzatinkolokosa.blgspot
Bright,
It’s a good idea to have a blog. But my request is that at least your articles should go beyond just telling news but be analytical. Otherwise, thats a good idea. Keep it up.
Anthony