Maputo, 1 Jul (AIM) – The Mozambican chapter of the regional press freedom body MISA (Media Institute of Southern Africa) has expressed its concern at the worsening of online disinformation in the country, as 81 cases were recorded in 2025.
According to journalist Armando Nhantumbo – citing the “Report on the State of Disinformation in the Digital Space in Mozambique 2025” – which he presented on Tuesday in Maputo – these figures represent more than three times the 28 cases identified in 2024.
The report, funded by the Norwegian Embassy, was conducted throughout 2025 using an artificial intelligence-based platform, capable of monitoring digital content in real time and identifying potentially false information.
“Of the 81 cases identified in 2025, 64 involved entirely fabricated information, while 10 resulted from the manipulation of genuine content taken out of its original context to support misleading narratives”, he said.
The report revealed that politics continues to account for the majority of disinformation cases, with public figures and state institutions as the primary targets.
“The content analyzed includes fake news regarding deaths, arrests, dismissals, and alleged recruitment processes for non-existent jobs, often used in fraud schemes. This is also influenced by social media and artificial intelligence. These platforms have profoundly altered the traditional mechanisms of information circulation”, he said.
According to Nhantumbo, the traditional mechanisms for filtering and validating information have weakened, “which allows any user to become both a consumer and a producer of content. While this process has democratized access to information, it has also brought challenges regarding veracity and accountability.”
The report also highlighted the growth in the number of social media accounts, responsible for amplifying disinformation. “The users’ strategy includes anonymity, use of pseudonyms, and replication of visual formats similar to those of traditional media outlets, in an attempt to lend legitimacy to the content”, the researcher said.
“Facebook and WhatsApp are the primary source of disinformation in Mozambique. These platforms play a significant role in the redistribution and amplification of content”, he added.
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