Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

2-minute read
28 May 2024 | 15:06 CAT

Image: Africa Check/ Twitter

As South Africa approaches its pivotal national elections in May 2024, a record number of political parties are set to contest what could significantly reshape the political landscape.

With the influx of information from various sources, ensuring the accuracy of this information becomes crucial.

To aid in this, Africa Check, supported by Google News Initiative, is leading a coalition to combat misinformation.

Africa Check has added an Election Information Hub to its website to ensure that accurate information reaches South African voters before the general election.

It features fact-check reports, analyses, factsheets and AI-generated videos from the digital marketing agency Rogerwilco.

According to Africa Check, the Election Information Hub focuses on claims made by the three major political parties – the ANC, DA and EFF.

It also features a report examining the ANC’s election promises in 2019 and detailing the commitments that have not been met.

The organisation notes that because voters can’t easily find this information, Africa Check does it for them. It examines important public statements, checks them against the best available evidence, and publishes findings to guide public debate with facts.

The organisation explains a difference between misinformation, which is shared unintentionally, and disinformation, which is false information spread with the intent to mislead. The latter is particularly problematic during an election, it stresses.

Meanwhile, Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) has warned that the increase of misinformation and disinformation on social media threatens democratic elections.

Listen to the full interview on The Daily Round Up with Moulana Junaid Kharsany and Philile Ntombela – Researcher at Africa Check
here.