By Bryson Jumbe
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| Trump |
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| APM |
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| Bushiri |
There have been reports of 'fake news' or false stories against prominent figures the world over.
Social media platforms have often been criticised for propagating such news, but the mainstream media has come under scrutiny too.
US President Donald Trump is one of the main critics of the mainstream media.
At one point Trump singled out media outlets such as CNN, ABC and NBC as 'fake news.'
The president points to among other things the economic resurgence his administration has achieved so far, but not given enough media attention.
Instead, he says the media is focused on the alleged Russia's involvement in the US election.
In his latest attack on "fake news media" Trump says he will award the 'most dishonest and corrupt media' this Monday (tomorrow).
Here at home, President Arthur Peter Mutharika (APM) has taken over three years of his presidency to loosen his perspective on the media, particularly the private.
APM has often accused the media of negative reporting, which is slightly off the mark of 'fake news.'
But the President was made to clarify on an alleged case of distorted reporting regarding zicheche (yams) and zitete (grasshoppers).
The president is said to have advised people [during the food crisis period last year] to eat 'zicheche' but some media houses quoted him as saying the latter.
Recently, the president had a rare one-on-one interview with Zodiak Broadcasting Corporation's Gospel Kazako.
It is, however, highly unlikely that he will extend such an opportunity to other private media houses.
Another high-profile person on the receiving end of 'fake news' is Prophet Shepherd Bushiri.
Late last year, a certain local media outlet carried a story alleging that Bushiri said he can end the country's power problems in 48 hours.
However, the video of the conference on which the said remark was made proved otherwise.
It is from this background that there have been calls for responsible reporting amongst media operators.
The media is bound by the duty to ethical journalism.
