MISINFORMATION AND DISINFORMATION
TO date the world has paid and is still paying the high cost of misinformation and falsehoods. I still do not believe that recklessness and warped minds can live in the midst of civilisation; while feasting on ignorance.
But, unfortunately, it is happening. We are allowing ourselves to deal with issues which are really artificial, manmade and issues, whose added value to Zambia sits in the negative. How does it help a senior government officer, to embrace disloyalty, only to run away from the long arm of the law? Just thinking aloud, as they say!
For us to make systematic and intelligent progress, I shall proceed by soliciting the formal meaning of the two words – Misinformation and falsehood from established and renowned authorities.
According to authorities, Misinformation means: false or inaccurate information. The terms “misinformation” and “disinformation” have been associated with the neologism “fake news” defined by some scholars as fabricated information that mimics news media content in form but not in organisation form or intent. We have heard about fake news from many sources including the United States of America Presidency. Accordingly though, whereas misinformation refers to inaccuracies that stem from error, DISINFORMATION represents deliberate falsehoods promulgated by design. The word disinformation is recorded to have been first used in 1939. The usage of this word was largely attributed to government propaganda then.
Those who followed the “cold war” between the then Eastern block and the Western block will appreciate the functions and centrality of propaganda in advancing the respective dogmas propounded by either.
It is clear to me therefore that this was at a time before competitive politics; as we now know took root in the world; Africa in particular. With competitive politics at play, all political parties have “propaganda wings” that seek to influence public opinion.
Some parties and politicians even invest in the Media directly and indirectly to advance their agenda. When such happens, the media or individual journalists suffer the consequences.
Zambian Challenges
In the Zambian context, wherein we have faced several social, economic and political challenges, I am unable to see the merit in investing in catastrophes. Here is a brief list (not exhaustive) of the challenges we have invested in and could be easily avoided:
Constitutionalism:
This is a Topic where pedestrian views have been uplifted to credible policy options. Because of that scenario and my personal homage to Civil Liberties (Legal), I shall be measured and cautious in my comment.
Please note that, NO LAW is cast in stone – and this is a fact. Law reform is inevitable and its management must not be crowded in secrecy or controversy. Consistent with this observation, we must be very careful all the time not to throw the Baby with bath water (Remember even our laws respect and accept Culture and Customary laws, provided the same are not repugnant to natural justice). Crusaders of doom pushed a very hard line and coordinated in vanity to defeat the 2016 referendum; notwithstanding other considerations, mainly because of power politics.
I think this recorded failure is a matter of serious regret, because Zambians are and shall continue to pay a high price for that reckless and politically retarded “strategic onslaught.”
I have actually wondered why we have since 1972 opted for the elaborate and costly method of “Constitutional Review.” The less costly is through “Amendments,” which really are a function of the Executive, Citizens and the Legislature. In our set up, the enactment of laws by the legislature is a must and not negotiable, barring amendment of the law.
Let’s not forget that law is what it is and not what the other person wants it to be. In fact, the Zambian Supreme Court has advised all Courts and by implication anybody dealing with the law, not to take emotions into account when rendering a Judgment. Remove all emotions from any law or process, then, we are good to go!
On deeper reflection, there is a matter that we must deal with. I beg to ask: Is Parliament an Assembly of representatives or a Club whose operations can be
disrupted by external political considerations, which are not part of its procedures? In other words, is it an open platform that a non member can arrest and control proceedings?
I am beginning to entertain the practice of having two chambers. One, the House of Representatives and another smaller Chamber of three representatives from each province, whose mandate is National and making laws. Most of its members should be Lawyers or any other citizen with a credible public service track record; willing to undergo a tailor-made legal training to appreciate the legal process.
The problem with law reform, that accommodates pedestrian views, is summarised by our experiences in the last 48 years of Zambia’s existence. We have had Zambian politicians conniving among themselves to create undesirable social and political challenges.
It is like two people struggling to drive the same car at the same time – at worst the passenger feels that it is his turn to drive, so he tells the driver that if he is not allowed, he will pull the handbrake!
Electoral Challenges:
Going back to the 1991 democratic elections in Zambia,
there were post election issues. Yes Dr. Kaunda conceded defeat, but that did not erase his concerns of external manipulations of National elections. The 1996 election too, had issues, so was the 2001 election, the 2006 election and the 2008 Presidential by- election. There were no serious issues in the aftermath of the 2011 elections but there were rumblings after the 2015 by election.
The 2016 elections produced a mischievous Tsunami in a Presidential petition, whose outcome was against the Petitioners. I attribute some of the political ranting to refusal to accept the outcome of an election. Acceptance of the results of any competition is critical.
I tell you, that no Court,
but mischief, would want to resolve issues that politicians must resolve on the political battlefield.
The rumours and innuendos that follow an election defeat are mainly responsible with hardened postures by those who feel cheated. God has been so generous. All human beings are endowed with the power of reason and are expected to act towards one another, with reason. Are you reasonable towards your fellow human beings?
I agree with a friend of mine who once opined that “the problem with political parties in Zambia is that they are almost religions” On a lighter but firm note, there is a song in my Christian faith which we sing, “Trust and Obey.”
Post One Party State, we must deal with the destructive Monster, which has resulted into great minds being arrested and somewhat termed. Democracy thrives with accommodation of divergent views. It is tolerance; repudiation of vices that accommodate hate and anger, essential to liberate us from manmade problems.
It is unreasonable and unacceptable to jump in the mighty Victoria Falls because you will drown and die. The same applies to anyone who tries to divide this country based on narrow self-serving considerations. You will drown in pain, sorrow and anguish!
FALSEHOODS:
What happened to the terrible falsehood that Zambia had sold its State assets? What happened to the many defences and justifications about the falsehoods?
There is no question that the exchange rate is no longer stable. Its instability is globally triggered as articulated by respected Global Financial Institutions. This view has been upheld by local institutions/ commentators.
But, there are plenty views who attribute the current economic challenges to the Patriotic Front (PF). Objectively speaking, there is no human being who is perfect. It follows therefore that we do not have perfect citizens, some of them who are politicians.
I see little reason to only be interested in benefit as opposed to accepting the reality of collective failures and responsibilities. Why do I say so? In any normal society, things do go wrong. But it becomes extremely challenging to all the time point fingers of wrong to a particular group. Take the dreaded and deadly COVID 19 that has wreaked havoc in all societies globally, how can this problem be blamed on the government of the day or indeed the opposition?
Critical information
Interesting enough, it does not look like most of our people have taken the problem of COVID 19 seriously. The government of the Republic of Zambia, has in my view done its best in conveying critical information to the public as expected of any responsible government. But you still see many of our citizens using the Social Media and some Main stream Media to communicate falsehoods!
Trust me; falsehoods can only make our efforts to overcome this deadly disease difficult. I have no hesitation concluding that any person who spreads falsehoods is a real danger and enemy to Zambia and its people. Baseless Campaigns: When RTSA put up speed cameras, a Video alleging that the Zambian government was so broke such that it had embarked on traffic measures, whereby cars where almost crawling. But who does not know that these measures have (a) curbed corruption (b) reduced on road fatalities? Is this not good for Zambia?
Misinformation and disinformation are a dangerous duo, which can only be permitted by citizens inviting destruction.
Disinformation represents deliberate falsehoods promulgated by design. The word disinformation is recorded to have been first used in 1939. The usage of this word was largely attributed to government propaganda then.
Trust me; falsehoods can only make our efforts to overcome this deadly disease difficult. I have no hesitation concluding that any person who spreads falsehoods is a real danger and enemy to Zambia and its people.
See you next week. Comments: ngandem12@gmail.com Cell/SMS 0977776191