To combat misinformation and disinformation, particularly during the electoral process, UNDP and the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Malawi have launched the iVerify platform, an innovative fact-checking system designed to promote information integrity and public trust. Implemented under the Malawi Electoral Support Project (MESP), iVerify will be managed by MISA Malawi with support from local stakeholders.

The official launch took place on Friday, 21 March 2025, at Crossroads Hotel in Lilongwe. The Minister of Information and Digitalization, Hon. Moses Kunkuyu, was the guest of honour alongside UNDP Malawi Resident Representative Ms. Fenella Frost. This initiative aims to empower voters with verified and reliable information and foster a transparent electoral process.

iVerify leverages digital tools and human expertise to detect and counter false information in real time. By fact-checking election-related claims and debunking misinformation, the platform helps protect media freedom and freedom of expression, safeguards citizens from harmful fake news, and can potentially prevent violence in emotive situations such as elections.

“Elections are a cornerstone of democracy, and misinformation can undermine their credibility. iVerify provides an essential mechanism to prevent the spread of falsehoods that could mislead voters and incite social unrest,” said Ms. Fenella Frost, UNDP Malawi Resident Representative.

As the national partner operating iVerify, MISA Malawi ensures the platform’s effective implementation. The initiative aligns with MESP’s broader goals of strengthening electoral governance and fostering inclusive, transparent, and credible elections.

“We believe that false information undermines the right to access credible information for informed choices, including during elections. iVerify Malawi is our considered effort to bring much-needed integrity to the information ecosystem,” stated MISA Malawi President, Mr. Golden Matonga.

UNDP has deployed iVerify in several countries, including Zambia, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, where it has played a crucial role in combating misinformation, particularly during elections. In Zambia and Kenya, the iVerify was piloted during the 2021 and 2022 elections respectively, helping fact-check election-related claims and preventing the spread of false narratives. In Liberia, the platform was used to train and support journalists in verifying public information, ensuring the dissemination of accurate reports. Similarly, in Sierra Leone, iVerify was integrated into national media efforts, strengthening the capacity of journalists and civil society organizations to counter disinformation.

UNDP and MISA Malawi extend their gratitude to the European Union (EU), the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Embassy of Ireland in Malawi, and the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Malawi for financially supporting iVerify Malawi through UNDP’s Elections Basket Fund under the Malawi Election Support Program (MESP).

We invite all Malawians to support this fact-checking initiative and utilize https://malawi.i-verify.org/, a platform that exposes false information