In an era where social media and information democratization are reshaping narratives, addressing disinformation in public finance has never been more crucial.
Session 8
#PFMvillage at
#PDF2025 focused on leveraging open data and transparency to combat misinformation/disinformation in Public Finance Management.
📌 Key insights were as follows:
🗣Harrison Manga from
@Media_Focus pointed out that disinformation flourishes in situations where there is a lack of understanding of the Public Financial Management (PFM) cycle. He emphasized the critical role of the media in simplifying complex financial processes for the public. However, he also highlighted that many media practitioners lack sufficient knowledge of PFM, which undermines their capacity to effectively educate and inform citizens.
@Edward_Kalya from
@elfafrica1 defined the nuances between disinformation (deliberately spreading falsehoods), misinformation (unintentionally sharing inaccuracies), and malinformation (spreading true information in a misleading context, with malicious intent).
He stressed that recognizing these differences is essential for understanding the nature of the information being disseminated and how different types of falsehoods impact public discourse.
Keith Muhati from
@ayt_org discussed the increasing engagement of the youth in advocating for accountability within government.
He pointed out that young people are increasingly participating in fact-checking efforts, demanding transparency, and holding elected officials accountable for their decisions, thereby playing a pivotal role in shaping the conversation around public finance.
Emeka Mayaka
@Emeka_Mayaka Managing editor
@PeopleDailyKe, noted that the finance bill acts not just as a political tool but also as a crucial resource allocation instrument. He urged the media and civil society to be vigilant and proactive in identifying politicians who may misinform the public, asserting that true accountability requires both accurate information and an engaged electorate that understands their rights.
Eric Mugendi
@mougendi, Senior editor,
@AfUncensored, encouraged journalists to focus their investigations on essential issues surrounding public finance, rather than getting sidetracked by political sensationalism. He warned that government distractions often divert public attention away from critical discussions about the misuse of resources, stressing the need for an informed populace that can demand accountability.
The key outcome of Session 8 discussions was— to effectively counter disinformation, the government, media, and civil society must collaborate to enhance transparency and accountability in public finance. Additionally, prioritizing a citizen fact-checking culture is essential to ensure that ongoing and inclusive budget discussions utilize performance metrics for accountability during elections.
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