As Malawi navigates a delicate post-election transition, the Leadership Institute for Transparency and Accountability (LITA) has appealed to all citizens, media actors, and political stakeholders to refrain from creating, sharing, or circulating misinformation and disinformation, warning that the truthfulness of public discourse is key to sustaining democracy.
In a statement, LITA Executive Director Goodwell Logeya said the integrity of Malawi’s democracy depends not only on free and fair elections, but also on how citizens handle information in the period that follows.
“In recent days, fabricated statements, impersonation posts, and unverified claims have proliferated across social media platforms and informal networks. These falsehoods threaten to undermine public trust, incite unnecessary tension, and distort the legitimate outcomes of our democratic processes,” Logeya said.
He emphasized that a young democracy like Malawi cannot afford the corrosive effects of rumor-mongering and digital manipulation, urging the public to take individual responsibility in safeguarding the truth.
LITA clarified that both misinformation, which is false information shared without intent to deceive, and disinformation, which is deliberately false content designed to mislead, pose a grave danger to civic trust, institutional legitimacy, and peaceful coexistence.
The institute, therefore, called on all Malawians to verify sources before sharing any content, reject sensationalism, and report suspicious narratives to relevant authorities. “Civic responsibility does not end at the ballot box—it extends to how we communicate, engage, and uphold the truth,” the statement reads.
Logeya said LITA will continue to monitor the information environment, work closely with media partners, and provide verified updates to help citizens stay informed and empowered.
He further urged both print and electronic media, civil society organizations, and digital platforms to collaborate in combating false narratives and promoting transparency.
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