The South African government and the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) have intensified their warnings against misinformation and disinformation, urging the public to remain vigilant as the local government elections rapidly approach.
Coinciding with Cybersecurity Awareness Month in October, authorities are joining forces under a unified call to protect the integrity of democratic processes and maintain public trust.
Speaking on YOU FM Newshour, Deputy Government Spokesperson William Baloyi reiterated the state’s deep concern about the rapid spread of unverified content across messaging apps and social media platforms.
“Living in a digital age means that more people rely on online platforms for quick and accessible information. Students, for example, can easily consume content on their devices while commuting by bus, train or taxi.
“Unfortunately, many of these platforms are saturated with misinformation and disinformation, which we have found spread rapidly and widely,” Baloyi warned.
He said the government had established working relationships with technology giants such as Meta and Google to flag fake news.
“In close collaboration with the IEC, we are developing platforms designed to identify false information promptly and swiftly halt its spread.
“While these digital tools allow us to share corrections publicly, educating citizens remains our primary line of defence.
“Additionally, prioritising and empowering credible media platforms, such as YOU FM, is vital to our strategy of positioning trusted media networks as a shield against misinformation,” Baloyi said.
He urged citizens to exercise caution when consuming such content and to conduct background research before accepting information as fact.
“Apart from these online tools, simple actions such as asking critical questions and consulting a range of sources can help combat the scourge of fake news.
“It is usually a red flag if information is not supported by facts and is available from only one source,” Baloyi highlighted.
Meanwhile, earlier this week, the IEC entered into a partnership with Google, Meta, Microsoft, TikTok and the non-profit organisation Moxii Africa to safeguard the integrity of election information and counter disinformation ahead of the elections.
According to the Commission, the partnership brings the platforms together in a collective effort to ensure that election information remains accurate and trustworthy.
Emphasising the importance of the partnership, the Commission’s Chief Electoral Officer, Sy Mamabolo, said the strategic inclusion of online platforms gave the Commission direct access to them and a genuine chance to combat disinformation.
