Rights activist Mwiza Zulu has called on Zambians to become more vigilant against misinformation and disinformation as the country moves closer to the 2026 General Elections.
In a message shared on her Facebook page, Zulu said the rapid spread of false information on social media poses a serious threat to informed public debate and the credibility of the electoral process.
She noted that while thousands of posts are shared online every day, not all of them are accurate, warning that misleading information can influence public opinion within minutes.
“You know one thing I think we need to talk about more? Misinformation and disinformation,” she wrote.
Zulu observed that advances in technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) have made it much easier for individuals to create and distribute convincing but false content, making it increasingly difficult for the public to distinguish fact from fiction.
She therefore encouraged citizens to develop a habit of verifying information before believing it and checking facts before sharing content with others.
According to the rights activist, responsible use of social media and critical thinking are essential in safeguarding Zambia’s democracy, particularly during an election period when political information spreads rapidly across digital platforms.
Zulu stressed that every citizen has a role to play in ensuring that public discourse is based on facts rather than rumours or manipulated content.
“By promoting critical thinking and responsible information sharing, we can all play a part in ensuring that we have free, fair, and credible elections,” she said.
Her remarks come at a time when concerns over fake news, AI-generated images and videos, and politically motivated misinformation continue to grow across the country.
As Zambia prepares for the 2026 General Elections, stakeholders have repeatedly urged citizens to rely on verified sources of information, fact-check suspicious claims, and avoid sharing unverified content that could mislead the public or create unnecessary tension.
Mwiza Zulu’s message adds to growing calls for digital responsibility, reminding social media users that protecting the integrity of elections begins with every click, share, and post.
