28 May 2024, The Witness, Reporter
Addressing a webinar hosted by the Government Communication and Information System in early May, Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) communications manager Nomshado Lubisi-Nkosinkulu said disinformation is presented and promoted to intentionally cause public harm or for profit.
The ‘explosion of information’ is making it increasingly difficult to know what is real and what is not, she added.
Disinformation versus misinformation
Disinformation within an election context includes false information intended to unduly affect participation in and the outcome of elections, said the Electoral Commission of South Africa, known as the IEC.
“The bourgeoning use of digital media in recent years has seen a corresponding surge in digital disinformation, particularly on social media platforms. Electoral processes have not been spared. Left unchecked, this phenomenon stands to undermine the conduct of credible elections,” said IEC chairperson Mosotho Moepya in a media statement.
“Disinformation poses a threat to the exercise of various rights and to the access of constitutional protections, including freedom of expression, access to credible information, and the freedom to make informed political choices.