International Fact Checking Day: A Call for Collaboration to Protect the Information Ecosystem

Lusaka, 02 April, 2025: On this International Fact-Checking Day, Panos Institute Southern Africa (PSAf), through its iVerify Zambia fact-checking and response mechanism, reaffirms its commitment to safeguarding the integrity of the information ecosystem, and calls for united action to fight information pollution. International Fact Checking Day is commemorated annually on April 2 as part of a global celebration of truth and accuracy.

In a world where misinformation, disinformation, and other forms of information pollution increasingly dominate public discourse, fact-checking stands out as our most powerful defense. It is our essential weapon for preserving the integrity of the information ecosystem and our critical tool for ensuring the quality of content we share and consume, online and offline.

At a time when false narratives spread faster than truth, undermining democracy and social cohesion, our collective vigilance has never been more vital. The consequences of unchecked misinformation—from eroded public trust to tangible harm in communities—make fact-checking not merely an option, but an urgent national imperative.

Through years of experience in fact-checking and content verification, we have learned that collaboration is fundamental for success. There is an urgent need for partnerships between fact-checkers and all stakeholders – government, civil society, media, and all information ecosystem actors. The importance of cooperation between governments, technology platforms, and media institutions cannot be overstated, particularly in amplifying accurate data – whether electoral, financial, or health-related – to counter dangerous falsehoods. Correct data and information serve as vital tools for decision-making processes while promoting institutional accountability and transparency. This is especially crucial when information shared in digital spaces affects public credibility and trust.

Government institutions, civil society organizations, media houses, and all information stakeholders must unite in this effort. Only through coordinated action can we effectively combat harmful misinformation and foster a society that values and prioritizes verified information. By bridging the gap between truth-tellers and vulnerable communities, and by ensuring all sectors work in harmony, we can create an information environment where misinformation finds no foothold.

The health of our information ecosystem depends on our shared responsibility. Every fact we verify, every falsehood we correct, and every citizen we empower with media literacy skills strengthens Zambia’s resilience against misinformation.

PSAf remains steadfast in leading this mission through iVerify Zambia and urges all stakeholders to join forces in mitigating misinformation, disinformation, hate speech and all forms of information pollution. Through support from the International Fact Checking Network (IFCN) through its BUILD 2024 initiative, we are currently working on enhancing the fact checking and content verification capacities of various stakeholders. As a member of the Africa Facts Network, hosted by Africa Check, we also regularly facilitate information sessions for university and college students, and other actors in the information ecosystem. We are also actively involved in the establishment of a the Zambia National Action Coalition on Information Integrity as a multi-stakeholder platform, building on our membership of the Global Action Coalition on Information Integrity. We believe that through these collective efforts, we can build a society where truth prevails, and where misinformation no longer threatens our social fabric, public health, or democratic values.

 

 Issued by:

 Vusumuzi Sifile

Executive Director, Panos Institute Southern Africa

Email: vusa@panos.org.zm