The journalists Union of Malawi (JUMA) has slated its 2011 Annual General Meeting (AGM) for Saturday 25th June. Already, there seem to be some internal wrangling. Of the sixty plus paid up membership, only 20 are invited to the AGM and participate in electing office bearers that include the President and Secretary General. Africanews sought an interview with JUMA's outgoing Secretary General, Maganizo Mazeze.

1. When was JUMA established, revived?

JUMA: Juma, formerly JAMA was revived in December 2007 with the goal of promoting and protecting labour of journalists in Malawi.

2. What are JUMA's core agenda/objective?

JUMA: The core objectives, as per article 4 of the constitution are to promote the pay and working conditions of journalists; to promote and protect the social, professional, and intellectual interests of the members; to promote the highest possible standards of ethics and integrity among members, among others.

3. JUMA AGM this Saturday, who should be attending (criteria)?

JUMA: Principally and in keeping with constitutional provisions, only paid up members are supposed to attend. The criterion therefore is membership payment.

4. Some are arguing all must attend? What do you take of this?

JUMA: Article 7 b (ii) of the constitution explicitly states that: “20 delegates elected by the chapters according to a system of proportional representation determined by the National Council based on the number of members fully paid-up dues.” However concerns have been raised by some members regarding the number of delegates. JUMA has noted them and consultations are taking place.

5. Why only a few participants? Do you think this will carter for entire membership acceptance of the elected new team?

JUMA: I personally think we need to do more on delegates. However it requires membership to propose amendments to the constitution. At present we have not violated any law but what we have is a bad is piece of legislation. Since laws are made by people, it is the same people who can change them, and the congress is the forum for such an undertaking.

6. How many times can one stand for JUMA top positions?

JUMA:[/B] Two terms only.

7. What else should people expect of JUMA delivery?

JUMA: To achieve the goals as set out in the constitution, JUMA conducted a survey of conditions of service of journalists. The report found that journalists are poorly remunerated. JUMA has been providing capacity building to its members to help them understand and appreciate the concept of unionism. That way, by themselves or as a team, they can bargain for better remuneration. JUMA will be meeting employers from July this year to discuss the findings of the 2010 survey. I believe that negotiations are the way forward. JUMA will never engage in confrontation in the course of protecting or promoting labour rights of its members.

8. What have been the milestones in JUMA?

JUMA:JUMA has managed to provide capacity building trainings to most of its members. There have trainings in Unionism, Intellectual property rights, parliamentary and budget reporting and HIV and Aids. JUMA has worked with other rights-holder associations such as Photographers Associations of Malawi and Musicians Associations of Malawi to produce an Arts Magazinebwith two editions already published; conducted public campaigns on HIV and Aids and on Environmental Management, specifically to do with the disposal of plastic paper.

However, the survey on the conditions of service for journalists is the major achievement because it will work as a reference point for the negotiations for better working conditions and remunerations for journalists in the country.

9. What have been the lows (challenges) at JUMA?

JUMA: Most journalists are yet to appreciate the importance of Unionism as such just few have embraced the concept. This has affected members’ willingness to pay membership.

10. Recently JUMA called on employers to pay reasonably to journalists. Any media houses complied?

JUMA: Yes, two media institutions have responded positively. We have organized follow-up meetings with all media institutions and we believe that at the end of the day, we will achieve something big. However, this endevour faces challenges in that most journalists have not affiliated themselves to JUMA and as such it becomes difficult to advance certain issues without having paid-up members in institutions.

11. In your (JUMA) opinion, do you think Malawi's journalists are getting a fair deal at the pay check?

JUMA: NO, the results of the survey, which showed that some journalists get as slow K5,000 monthly pay, tell it all. The Centre for Social Research setsK50,000 as minimum expenditure for a family in a month. The situation is very bad.

12. What influence do you have on employers who abuse (poor pay, poor working conditions, etc) journalists?

JUMA: We believe that negotiations will change things. Malawi is going through political and social change and this pay issue of journalists will also change. JUMA has set the pace and we are forwarding looking with optimism.

13. What should a victimized member do to seek redress and how far can JUMA act into such a remedy?

JUMA: A paid up member will report the issue to Chapter leaders, who will take up the issue with JUMA national executive. JUMA can decide to engage in dialogue or seek legal redress on behalf of its member depending on the gravity of the issue.

14. For freelancers, how do you address their plight in terms of pay and better working conditions as they are an important ingredient of the Malawi media?

JUMA: The constitution of JUMA does not discriminate as such all paid up members will be treated equally.

15. Who can join JUMA?

JUMA: Article 6 of the constitution outlines that those whose main profession is that of journalism are eligible. As such, full-time, part-time, freelancers can become members. Students of journalism can also join as associate members.

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Bone of Contention:

Meanwhile an executive committee member, Kondwani Munthali, who sits on the Lilongwe (Central Region) Chapter, has warned that he will seek an injunction against the AGM taking place, should the entire paid-up membership not be invited to participate in the elections.

"There are only 20 people invited to participate in the vote of the 60 paid up membership. Very fair and great elections," he wrote on Namisa forum.

"Null and Void from the beginning. I suggest that all old office bearers should not contest and we should let new blood take over to change matters. These people should give a chance to new blood to compete and that is only when I will not go ahead with the injunction. I have already taken the affidavit today."

Contestants:

A quick check has revealed the following people contesting for position of President include Ms. Rebecca Chimjeka, Mr. Maganizo Mazeze, Ms. Winnie Botha, and Ms. Fazilla Tembo.

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