Fake news! Malawi govt refutes ghost story on Mugabe, Nyasa Times did not carry the story

Malawi government on Sunday was duped into believing a story that transpired to be fake news generated on social media.

Dausi: Malawi government reject lies and fabricated content on social media

The initial statement issued by Minister of Information, Communication and Technology Nicholous Dausi said the government was rejecting “lies” in a story by Nyasa Times that Mutharika does not want to be like  Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe, by remaining in office beyond the limit of two terms that the Constitution of Republic of Malawi requires.

However, Nyasa Times did not carry such a story. Instead, it was an article which spread on Facebook by fake news claiming the source was Nyasa Times.

“Malawi has no business to dictate to the people of Zimbabwe how they should conduct their affairs. The people of Malawi and those of Zimbabwe are assured that the Government of Malawi remains resolute to its policy of not interfering in internal matters of other countries,” Minister of information Dausi said in the statement.

Dausi, who is government spokesman, said authorities  are aware that the opposition parties in Malawi are running a “desperate campaign to tell lies against the President and his administration in order to create chaos in the country and abhorrence in the international community because they know that they have no credible strategy for winning the 2019 elections.”

After being fact-checked, it quickly became apparent that the story was almost entirely fabricated.

Meanwhile, government has confirmed the report was not from Nyasa Times but fake news content on Facebook.

Facebook recently announced it is to add features advising users how to spot fake news.

The social network has said it will advise users to “be sceptical of headlines” and to check sources before believing a story.

The social media giant has been heavily criticised for its handling of fake news and is tackling the problem of fake news .

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Kingpin
Kingpin
6 years ago

Yeah i read the story and immediately i knew it was fake because APM and friends do not have the balls to even cough in old Bob’s direction. It takes a real leader like the Botswana president to step up to old lions like Mugabe. Respect.

santana
santana
6 years ago

When you try to argue that DPP cannot win in 2019 you should also tell us which party is most liked by Malawians that they will vote for it in 2019. Because people who comment on Nyasa are from different parties meaning they will not vote for the same party come 2019. You may think you are many by looking on Nyasa comments forgetting that you are afflliated to different parties out there. Tell us which party is strong to oust the DPP in 2019, don’t speak in general. The second voted party in 2019 was MCP but it is… Read more »

Siyani
Siyani
6 years ago

NO THIRD TERM. Mmene analemphera Bakili palibe amend angadza namlzenso mMalawi aliyense.

santana
santana
6 years ago

Mr Bonafide, You and other Malawians did not want Mutharika before 2014 elections, but did he not come to power in May, 2014? You cheated Malawians in your campaigns before 2014 that DPP and its leadership are not needed in Malawi. You sold your party to Malawians, and DPP sold itself to the same Malawians. Come the election day DPP sailed through, so what are you telling us now? Talk about 2019 not beyond it. Or have you already assessed and concluded that you cant make it in 2019? But let you know that whoever will stand for DPP in… Read more »

Maunits
Maunits
6 years ago

Who can give Muthalika a second term Dausi. You are just wasting your time. Find other things to say not a bout Muthalika we are fed up.

popi
popi
6 years ago

In fact he should not even be allowed a second term of office. He doesn’t understand the dynamics of transformative leadership. He is a time waster to Malawians.

Bonafide Malawian
Bonafide Malawian
6 years ago

Even if its a fake who would want Mutharika to live beyond the two year term?We can’t wait.He has totally failed Malawians.

Bwintoto
6 years ago

Sindikunvetsa bwino-bwino,pamenepa Dausi akuti chani?
chabwino ngati ili nkhani yabodza ,osangokhala chete bwanji,ndie kuti Apm akusangalala ndi u lamplight ngati wa Mugabe?

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