INMA Elevate Scholar: Florence Mwale of Capital Radio Malawi

By Paula Felps

INMA

Nashville, Tennessee, United States

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In December 2023, INMA and Google News Initiative (GNI) awarded their fourth annual Elevate Scholarship to 50 news media professionals from 31 countries. This series features these impressive media professionals who are shaping our industry.

From the time she entered the field of journalism, Florence Mwale has established herself as a valuable addition to the industry.
From the time she entered the field of journalism, Florence Mwale has established herself as a valuable addition to the industry.

From the time she began her internship at Capital Radio Malawi in 2017, Florence Mwale established herself as an outstanding addition to the industry. She was quickly promoted to a full-time reporting position and, within a year, had moved on to the online desk, where she learned social media management and became a full-time online editor, managing all the online platforms for Capital Radio Malawi.

Florence used her position to further her skills and was chosen to produce two seasons of a radio series on health topics. That led to a fellowship with the Women in News Leadership Accelerator Program in 2020, which she attributes to both personal and professional growth.

“[It] helped me rediscover myself personally and professionally. It also helped me refine my skills as a leader in a newsroom with diverse individuals,” she said. It also led to her being promoted to her current role as a news editor, and the same year, she was awarded a year-long spot in the Young African Journalist Accelerator Program (YAJAP) which focused on climate justice.

“This opportunity helped me better understand issues surrounding climate change and how I can write impactful stories about Africa,” Florence said.

Since then, she has joined a group of fellow journalists with an interest in health research reporting and was the first Malawian selected for a training and networking fellowship by the German-based Taz Panter Foundation.

As part of the seven-month programme, she has worked with journalists from across Africa. 

Her growth and ambition have impressed those around her, including Wezi Nyirongo Chamanza, head of news:

“During my tenure at Capital Radio Malawi, Florence has consistently displayed remarkable dedication and professional growth as a journalist,” Chamanza said. “Despite limited access to resources as an intern or gender-related biases in the male-dominated field of journalism, her enduring journey at the station makes her a true inspiration and motivating force for her colleagues.”

As an Elevate Scholar, Florence looks forward to learning more about the financial and operational aspects of a newsroom, but is most excited about what she can learn from other journalists:

“Journalism is different in different parts of the world, and hearing other journalists’ experiences will be a chance to use their tips in making my own work better and passing the knowledge to other staff members.”

About Paula Felps

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