LUSAKA - As Zambia prepares for the August 13 general election, citizens have been urged to verify information before sharing it online, with concerns that fake news and unverified claims could fuel tension and violence.
Speaking in an interview with Zambia Reports, Clare Tembo, a resident of Chongwe East, said verifying information is not only a responsible online practice but also an important contribution to peaceful elections.
She questioned why anyone would choose not to verify information during such a critical period.
"The question, in fact, should be, why should someone not verify information during this critical period?" Tembo said.
She explained that sharing unverified information can contribute to election-related violence by creating unnecessary fear, anger and confusion among the public.
According to Tembo, people naturally respond emotionally to information, particularly content designed to provoke strong reactions.
"Human beings are emotional by design. If we publish something that triggers people, they are likely to react through what psychologists call the three Fs, which are fight, flight or freeze. The most common reaction is to fight because people, by instinct, want to protect themselves. That fight may be physical, but it can also be expressed through aggression online," she said.
Tembo encouraged members of the public to pause before sharing information, verify facts through credible sources and avoid forwarding messages whose authenticity cannot be confirmed.
In a separate interview, social media user Rodex Chali said every citizen has a responsibility to ensure that information shared during the election period promotes peace rather than division.
He said responsible information sharing can help voters make informed decisions while safeguarding national unity.
"We all have a role to play when it comes to sharing information and consuming verified information. If we just go online to watch trending videos and neglect trying to verify the information we get, then we will most likely spread misinformation, thereby making the chain longer. Who knows, maybe other political groups might resort to violence after seeing such publications, or maybe not," Chali said.
Source: Zambia Reports | By: Beatrice Chabaya