By Jimmy Chazama:
Opposition political parties in the country have said the spread of fake news may escalate cases of political violence and mislead voters ahead of the September 16, 2025 Local Government, Parliamentary and Presidential Elections.
Speaking during a conference on the safety and security of journalists during elections, organised by Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa) Malawi in partnership with the Malawi National Commission for Unesco in Lilongwe Thursday, party leaders called for requisite action.
Alliance for Democracy administrator Franco Banda said false information could cause confusion among the public and compromise chances of holding successful elections.
“When there is too much fake news, people become confused and struggle to distinguish truth from lies. This can lead to dangerous decisions and even violence. Our party has a media team that is tasked with sharing credible updates and facts with the public,” Banda said.
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He stressed the importance of providing voters with verified information to help them choose leaders wisely.
United Democratic Front (UDF) national deputy publicity secretary Labana Chilungo said the party was taking steps to counter misinformation.
Chilungo dismissed claims that their president would be a running mate in an alliance with the Malawi Congress Party, saying the leader had already paid nomination fees and would be on the ballot.
“Our president is encouraging every member, supporter and parents to move around the country and inform people that he is standing in the elections. We believe that, with our president, the party will be in charge come September 16 [2025],” Chilungo said.
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People’s Party deputy director of research Alepha Chisokeza said the party does not engage in propaganda or the spread of false stories.
Chisokeza said the party focuses on issue-based politics and peaceful campaigning.
“We have a media team that identifies false information and refers it to the publicity secretary or secretary general to counter it. False stories confuse voters, and candidates who lack a clear development agenda often rely on propaganda,” Chisokeza said.
On his part, Misa Malawi Chairperson Golden Matonga said citizens have a right to access information but stressed that it should be accurate and trustworthy.
He said fake news undermined this right and that it could be weaponised to endanger lives and divide communities.
“Fake news twists information and can be used against particular sectors of society. It can provoke tribal or religious tensions and undermine social harmony during elections. Misinformation can also weaken the electoral process, lead to rejection of legitimate candidates or bring into office leaders who rose to power through lies. This threatens our democracy,” Matonga said.
He called on stakeholders to fight misinformation and promote truth to ensure the holding of peaceful and credible elections.
Unesco Deputy acting Executive Secretary David Mulera said fake news was dangerous as the country heads toward elections.
Mulera said the person who spreads fake news often has a negative motive that could jeorpadise co-existence.
“It is important to make sure that key partners that are involved in the process of the general elections are oriented on that, particularly journalists, so that they should be able to share information that is credible; information that would help the nation and all stakeholders to run peaceful general elections.
“So, it is important that we all are not subscribing to fake news. Fake news is not good for the nation,” Mulera said.
