At the re-launch of the I-Verify Zambia misinformation and disinformation fact-checking platform, Information and Media Permanent Secretary Mr. Thabo Kawana, represented by Director Press and Media Development Mr. Morden Mayembe, highlighted the critical role of the upgraded system in safeguarding democratic integrity. The launch of I-Verify 2.0 positions the platform as a frontline defence against misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech ahead of the 2026 general elections. Officials emphasized that false information is not harmless online chatter but poses direct threats to citizens’ rights, public order, and the stability of democratic processes. Misinformation can spark unnecessary tension, including protests fueled by false claims such as allegations of postponed or cancelled elections.
The Permanent Secretary commended the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Panos Institute Southern Africa, and other partners for supporting Zambia’s efforts to protect electoral credibility. He observed that digital platforms have, in some instances, accelerated the spread of harmful and manipulative content. The rise of deepfakes, synthetic media, and coordinated inauthentic behaviour undermines public trust in key institutions, including the Electoral Commission of Zambia, threatening the credibility of upcoming elections. I-Verify, first launched in 2021 under the National Action Coalition on Information Integrity in Elections, operates through multi-stakeholder collaboration. The 2.0 upgrade strengthens detection, verification, and rapid response mechanisms, ensuring timely action during the electoral cycle.
Mr. Mayembe emphasized that fighting misinformation is not only a technical exercise but a democratic obligation requiring shared responsibility. He urged government institutions, civil society, academia, regulators, digital platforms, journalists, and citizens to actively protect the country’s information space. The revamped I-Verify platform is expected to play a decisive role in reinforcing the integrity of Zambia’s 2026 elections, protecting democratic processes, and building public trust. By enhancing the nation’s capacity to detect and counter false information, the platform strengthens the foundations of a transparent and accountable democracy.