The Malawi chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) has launched iVerify, a fact-checking initiative designed to safeguard the integrity of information in the media and on social platforms ahead of the country’s general elections in September 2025.
The elections, held every five years, will see Malawians vote for councillors, members of Parliament, and the president. As the election season approaches, the prevalence of misinformation and disinformation poses significant challenges to democracy.
iVerify, launched in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), employs a robust triple-verification process. Each piece of content is meticulously reviewed and approved by three iVerify members before being published as a verified report.
The initiative is backed by a multidisciplinary team of professional journalists, IT experts, legal specialists, and the MISA Secretariat. Beyond content verification, the team also provides fact-checking training for journalists and works to educate the public on recognizing and combating fake news.
Golden Matonga, Chairperson of MISA Malawi, emphasized the importance of iVerify in ensuring a fair and transparent election process.
“Fake news can erode trust in electoral processes and institutions, spark unrest, and lead to violence. Advanced technologies like artificial intelligence have made combating fake news more challenging, but with improved fact-checking capabilities, we can mitigate its impact,” Matonga said.
iVerify also focuses on raising awareness about the dangers of misinformation. By empowering journalists and the public, MISA Malawi aims to create a more informed electorate and promote trust in democratic institutions.
As Malawi prepares for its upcoming elections, initiatives like iVerify highlight the crucial role of fact-checking and media accountability in protecting democratic values.