Content creators urged to eliminate misinformation..

Kariba- Chairman of the Zimbabwe Online Content Creators (Zocc) Toneo Rutsito has urged online content creators to desist from misinformation and maintain credibility.

In a statement released Wednesday, Rutsito made emphasis on the need for online content creators to employ fact checking mechanisms to maintain credibility .

He said:

As online content creators, it is our responsibility to maintain credibility, ethical standards, and professionalism in our content creation.

While we strive to deliver breaking news in a timely manner, we should prioritize the principles of factual content and employ various fact-checking mechanisms.”

Rutsito added that Zimbabweans rely on the Fourth Estate as their gatekeepers of information and therefore obliged to verify information to prevent disseminating unverified, false, or sensationalized content.

He gave an example of how mainstream media has managed to resist the temptation of rushing to publish ‘juicy’ stories devoid of verification.

Said Rutsito:

” Major media houses have achieved their success not solely by rushing to publish first, but by consistently verifying their content and earning the trust of their audience.

“Quality should never be compromised, as spreading misinformation may generate temporary traffic but ultimately leads to a loss of credibility.”

He blasted the unethical practice of click baiting.

“I urge all content creators to remain committed to factual and professional practices on our journey towards media greatness. Each publication should be a step forward in achieving this goal,” he said.

The statement was issued in Kariba at a consultative workshop in partnership with UNESCO and Zimbabwe Media Commision.