Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) has called on social media influencers to guard their credibility and that of the September 16 General Election by promoting truth, exercising caution and authenticity online to prevent the spread of misinformation.
Speaking at a Media Influencers Workshop in Lilongwe yesterday, Macra’s head of international affairs and corporate communication Limbani Nsapato said influencers wield significant power over public opinion, hence they must use their platforms responsibly.
He said the workshop, which covered key provisions of the Data Protection and Cyber Security Act, was aimed at prepare influencers to engage online in ways that are truthful, constructive, and within the law.
Said Nsapato: “We appreciate the power and influence social media influencers hold, but they also carry certain responsibilities. Their influence can make or break public opinion, so we engaged them to align on how we can responsibly operate within the digital space as we approach the elections.
“While traditional media remains important, in this digital era, a single click or post is incredibly powerful—it can change a lot.”
Held under the theme ‘The role of social media influencers during elections’, the workshop brought together content creators from across the country, including some of Malawi’s best-known entertainers such as Wikise, Pop Young, Lulu, Priscilla Kayira, Thoko Suya, and Theresa Phondo.
One of the participants, youth development influencer Tendai Banda described the workshop as a timely eye-opener.
“As we prepare for the elections, there will be a lot of things said that are not true and others that deserve amplification because they come from verified sources. The training has helped us understand how to distinguish credible information from falsehoods. It has also validated our role in shaping Malawian messaging,” she said.
Macra said by equipping influencers with legal and ethical guidance, the digital space will be a tool for informed debate rather than a breeding ground for falsehoods during this critical period in Malawi’s democratic process.
