Unmasking Misinformation: Journalist’s Quest for Verified Truth (International Edition)
The Journalists as Fact Checkers workshop, organised by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Africa for the Womentorship Champions, recently, was an unexpected catalyst for my growth as a female human rights defender.
It effortlessly merged with my duties as both a journalist and an advocate, highlighting how journalism serves as a crucial act of service against misinformation. In Zimbabwe, where confirming straightforward facts such as fatality counts from road accidents can be difficult because of restricted access to data, fact-checking goes beyond being just part of one’s job; it transforms into a nuanced but important mode of defiance.
One powerful takeaway was learning about “lateral reading,” which pushed me to go deeper than just skimming content and succumbing to click temptations. This change in mindset has provided me with a persistent critical outlook, examining each headline through the meticulous gaze of an investigator. Rather than taking information at face value, I now emphasize thorough research, challenging sources and exploring various viewpoints before reaching conclusions. In today’s environment in Zimbabwe, I foresee that this fresh strategy will not only be essential but also occasionally startling.
Recognizing propaganda has shifted from being an intangible idea to becoming a concrete capability, with spotting significant assertions feeling akin to developing x-ray vision for seeing through deceit. Ambiguous political declarations and attention-grabbing titles have become real-life examples that require thorough scrutiny instead of casual dismissal.
This experience has profoundly altered my perception of my journalistic duties in a landscape overrun by misinformation. Earlier, I saw my main task as keeping the public informed. Today, I realize this comes hand-in-hand with another vital obligation: safeguarding the public from subtle untruths. I have come to see misinformation as a covert tyrant, breeding bewilderment, discord, and helplessness, frequently appearing quite plausible.
During the workshop, a striking realization emerged regarding the extreme difficulty of validating specific statistics in Zimbabwe, including figures related to road traffic deaths. Although global guidelines require monitoring these metrics on a monthly basis, local data gathering frequently halts once an incident reaches the site of the crash. This issue does not stem from apathy towards accuracy; instead, it highlights the deficiency of requisite infrastructure. This structural hurdle resonates with common experiences, exemplified by incidents where individuals had to arrange their own transport when reporting crimes like robberies to law enforcement—a revealing scenario in its own right.
When considering my narrative style, empathy has always been crucial to me. Nonetheless, I have come to realize that although feelings help create a bond with the audience, they should never cloud the impartiality of my reportage. Inevitably, critical analysis takes precedence over emotional reactions. It’s not about evoking sympathy from viewers; rather, it's about verifying facts for their sake.
Prior to attending this workshop, I frequently saw myself as a mere observer in the swift current of news and stories. Today, however, I am motivated to become an engaged fact-checker. The experience has equipped me with fresh techniques, sharpened my viewpoint, and provided me with a more defined objective. My conviction is stronger than ever that journalism isn’t solely about sharing data; rather, it’s about thorough scrutiny, deliberate questioning, and steadfast dedication to accuracy.
The workshop transcended being merely a training session; it became a life-changing event, possibly giving birth to an entirely novel type of hero—a figure with a digital cloak and the extraordinary ability to wield authenticated facts as their power. I extend my heartfelt thanks to Lafaqane Nare, the executive director of Fact Check ZW, for imparting her priceless insights throughout this workshop.
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