Journalists in Malawi have been urged to avoid rushing to publish news articles without verifying facts. During a two-day Media Access to Information conference at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe, Communication Specialist Yvonne Sundu emphasized that media houses should establish fact-checking desks to curb misinformation and disinformation, especially on election-related topics.
Sundu stated, “There has to be a chain of fact-checking from individual journalists before posting or making allegations to avoid misleading the public.”
Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Public Relations Officer Sangwani Mwafulirwa echoed the sentiment, stressing that fact-checking should be a fundamental practice for all journalists. Mwafulirwa also urged sources to verify the accuracy of the information they share with the media.
Stakeholders expressed concerns about the lack of fact-checking by some journalists, which can sometimes mislead the public. The call aims to ensure that accurate information is prioritized, particularly during elections.
