Pro-democracy group raises the alarm over surge in fake news ahead of 2026 elections

The Advocates for Democratic Governance Foundation (ADEG) has expressed concern over the increasing misuse of both social and public spaces through the spread of fake news, disinformation, and misinformation as the country approaches the general elections.

Organisation Executive Director, Gideon Musonda, cited recent incidents, including online content depicting the Republican President in a coffin, as well as false claims alleging the President’s resignation.

In a statement issued in Lusaka on Sunday, Musonda said such acts were not only reckless but also threatened national cohesion and public trust, warning they could compromise the integrity of the electoral process if left unchecked.

He stated that such actions must be condemned and immediately discontinued.

“Zambia is now in a politically sensitive phase of the electoral process. During this period, citizens actively seek information that will shape their perspectives and ultimately influence their electoral choices,” Musonda said.

He emphasized that it was imperative for all electoral stakeholders — including citizens, political actors, civil society, and the media — to prioritise accuracy, responsibility, and integrity when sharing information across both digital and physical platforms.

Musonda reiterated the organisation’s commitment to protecting and promoting freedom of expression.

“However, the exercise of this right must be accompanied by responsibility and respect for the rights and dignity of others, including individuals in national leadership,” he said.

He stressed that freedom of expression should not be exploited to spread harmful or misleading information.

Musonda called on state institutions mandated to enforce the law to act fairly, objectively, and non-partisanly, noting that the application of the law must not be selective or used to target citizens with dissenting views.

“Law enforcement must strike a careful balance to ensure that while addressing wrongdoing, it does not suppress legitimate expression, which remains a fundamental pillar of democracy,” Musonda said.

He further urged the government to expedite reforms to the Public Order Act and other restrictive legal frameworks to strengthen freedoms of expression, assembly, and association ahead of the elections.

Musonda added that the President’s recent public commitment to upholding free and fair elections should be reflected in the equitable application of laws and in reforms that reinforce democratic progress.

“ADEG remains committed to fostering a democratic environment that is peaceful, informed, inclusive, and respectful of fundamental freedoms,” he said.

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