THE 2019 SOUTH AFRICAN

NATIONAL & PROVINCIAL ELECTIONS

A month after the launch of a pilot project to combat digital disinformation, the Electoral Commission has received more than 70 complaints via the online reporting platform www.Real411.org.za Of the over 70 complaints received, 34 have been finalised and the remainder continue to be processed as they are received. To date no instances of deliberate disinformation have been found by the committee set up to assess complaints. A number of the complaints, while not disinformation, have related to the tone …

Disinformation, as well as misinformation and so-called ‘fake news’, during election periods is a scourge that has affected the fairness and credibility of elections in a number of countries around the world. Although not necessarily a new phenomenon, online platforms have amplified the ease and reach of such information. The digital disinformation complaints process is a measure implemented by the IEC to respond to this challenge. As part of the process, complaints made to the IEC via the Real411 platform …

False messaging via WhatsApp, fake Facebook accounts and bogus viral videos may appear real: BUT ARE THEY? The aim of disinformation campaigns is to manipulate reality has become more sophisticated due to advances in technology – ultimately having devastating consequences. Fake news has taken centre stage once again – making this election campaign season full of chatter and uncertainty. Even the media is often attacked via fake news websites. Bongani Bingwa discusses fake news and disinformation with William Bird of …

Learn more about disinformation and why it matters, and importantly, how to spot it, by watching our video.

On 1 April, the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) and Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) announced the launch of the Digital Disinformation Complaints process, which allows all South Africans to report potential digital disinformation via the online platform Real411. The initiative aims to combat the rise in digital disinformation and its potential impact on elections, and aims to promote free and fair elections. Why 411? “411” is internet slang for information. Urbandictionary.com describes 411 as “1. slang for ‘the info’; …