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Disinformation (2)

Artificial Intelligence and the Age of Misinformation and Disinformation

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Instrumental participation of various speakers and panellists at the seminar on AI

04 July 2024
Good Governance Africa (GGA) and the South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) hosted the seminar titled “AI in the Age of Information: Journalism, Fact Checking, and Media” on Thursday 4th July.
The event was a resounding success, thanks in large part to the instrumental participation of, among others, Glen Mpani – Managing Partner at Shikamo Political Advisory and African political campaigns expert, as well as Lavina (Ramkissoon) Rao – the Technology and Data Expert at the UN University for Policy Research, who served as a speakers and panellists.
Speakers gave insightful perspectives and expertise that brought a wealth of knowledge to the seminar, enriching the discussions and providing attendees with a deeper understanding of AI’s critical role in modern journalism and media. It was through their dedication and willingness to share their experiences that the seminar created a platform for meaningful dialogue and learning.

Reggy Moalusi
Pic: DDA

Reggy Moalusi, SANEF executive director, noted in his opening address that the media today found itself in unprecedented times and having weathered the storms including job losses at major media companies, a decline in revenue, and the closure of news titles. South Africa, a few years back, circa 2009, used to have about 15,000 journalists. Today, it is sitting at less than 4,500 journalists.
“We are battling the ongoing headache of misinformation and disinformation. A battle we don’t only have to face during big events such as the recent elections, but one that’s daily in our ever-busy news cycle.”
“Lately, the news media finds itself in an age where AI chatbots can respond to questions about major news events, leaving us to the question of the role of journalists in this playbook. While some are accurate, there are those still providing misleading and false information, a development a self-respecting news media sector frowns upon,” he said.
The seminar commenced with an analysis of the recent South African general election, serving as a lens to view the broader issues. This initial segment provided attendees with an understanding of how the political landscape in South Africa has been influenced by information dynamics, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of AI’s role in these processes.
Main Focus Areas
1. The Role of AI in Journalism; the seminar explored the transformative effects of AI on journalism, examining both the opportunities and challenges presented by AI technologies. Discussions included:
•             AI-driven news generation and its implications for journalistic integrity.
•             The role of AI in identifying and reporting trending topics.
•             The balance between AI tools and human journalists in maintaining editorial standards.
2. Fact-Checking in the Age of AI With the rise of AI, the process of fact-checking has become both more efficient and more complex. This segment covered:
•             The capabilities of AI in automated fact-checking and verification.
•             Challenges in ensuring the accuracy of AI-generated fact checks.
•             Strategies for integrating AI with traditional fact-checking methods to combat misinformation.
3. Media Dynamics and the Spread of Disinformation AI’s role in the spread of disinformation remains a critical concern. The seminar addressed the following:
•             How AI can both propagate and combat disinformation.
•             The ethical considerations of AI use in media and information dissemination.
•             Case studies on the impact of AI-driven disinformation during the South African elections and other global events.

Lloyd Coutts, GGA Director of Publications and Media

Lloyd Coutts, GGA Director of Publications and Media urged parties to stay in touch as we plan the next round of activities centred around the themes discussed during the seminar. He said continued engagement and support were vital to the ongoing efforts to promote good governance and accurate information dissemination in the age of AI.

Access to Information & Regulatory

SANEF is Disappointed at Being Ghosted by Some Big Tech Companies and Parliament

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03 April 2024

The SA National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) expresses its anger at being “ghosted” by big tech companies and our Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Communications.

In a constructive spirit, SANEF wrote in mid-February, and followed up more than once, with the top four social media companies and Parliament, requesting a discussion about joint action to combat disinformation and hate speech during the upcoming elections.

This follows several public announcements by big tech companies of their strategies to contribute to elections in the European Union and the USA.

The outreach to them concerning their South African plans followed a document adopted by the SANEF Council on 10 February,  that set out an analysis of expected electoral threats and also proposed steps to mitigate these risks.

Despite two reminders, by April no acknowledgement had been received from TikTok or X (formerly Twitter). Meta provided a vague response to revert in due course, but six weeks later had not done so.

Google did agree to a meeting, although the ensuing discussion saw the company provide only generic responses rather than specific cooperation.

A message from the secretariat of the Parliamentary Committee saw its chairman, Boyce Maneli, being reminded to respond to SANEF. Disappointingly, Maneli chose not to respond.   Meanwhile, SANEF is aware of at least one engagement by the Committee with big tech, and of an extensive programme for discussions with the others.

As the elected representative of South Africa’s media voices in favour of election integrity, SANEF finds it reprehensible to be given the cold shoulder on a matter of such national importance.

The only interpretation we can make of such shoddy treatment is that it demonstrates a lack of accountability and commitment by the interlocutors to serious electoral action to protect journalists online, limit hate speech, and promote authoritative information.

The organisation’s doors remain open for dialogue. Meanwhile, SANEF and its members will continue to do all within their power to contribute to an environment that is conducive to South African voters being able to make their decisions without fear and empowered by reliable information.

SANEF would like to applaud the Independent Electoral Commission, who have not only shown willingness but have also been keen to partner with us as we combat disinformation.

Unfortunately, there is a lack of appetite for partnerships by big tech companies that operate in and make money within the country and a mirror-image lack of interest from Parliament’s relevant committee in this area.

Note to Editors:

The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) is a non-profit organisation whose members are editors, senior journalists, and journalism trainers from all areas of South African media. We are committed to championing South Africa’s hard-won freedom of expression and promoting quality, ethics, and diversity in the South African media. We promote excellence in journalism by fighting for media freedom, writing policy submissions, research, and education and training programmes. SANEF is not a union.

For more information, please contact:

  • Sbu Ngalwa – SANEF Chairperson (073) 404-1415
  • Nwabisa Makunga – SANEF Deputy Chairperson (082) 555-1972
  • Dr. Glenda Daniels – SANEF Secretary-General (083) 229-9708
  • Tshamano Makhadi – Treasurer-General (082) 223-0621
  • Makhudu Sefara – SANEF Media Freedom Chair (079) 177-2134
  • Judy Sandison – SANEF KZN Convenor (082) 571-3334
  • Rochelle De Kock – SANEF Eastern Cape Convenor (072) 969-8028
  • Reggy Moalusi – SANEF Executive Director (071) 682-3695

 

Cases

SANEF,Supported by Various Civil Society Organisations, Supports Karyn Maughan

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21 March 2023

The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) and various civil society organisations will on Wednesday picket in support of Karyn Maughan as she seeks to have the private prosecution matter brought by former president, Jacob Zuma, struck off the roll.

Maughan seeks to stop the private prosecution against her, a move SANEF supports. Maughan is a journalist, who was doing her job, something that Zuma and his legal team refuse to accept. Maughan’s constitutional rights have been abused by this private prosecution.

Media freedom is paramount in our constitutional democracy, hence there is a need to defend it all the time. SANEF will be outside the court on Wednesday to show solidarity with Maughan.

Various civil society organisations have indicated their support for SANEF and Maughan, as they see the importance of upholding media freedom and allowing journalists to freely do their work. All organisations are united against this targeting and attempt to intimidate Maughan.

SANEF will always speak out against anyone seeking to silence journalists. SANEF believes in the ability of our judiciary to spot any abuses of the courts, which we believe is what this private prosecution is doing.

Women journalists, such as Maughan, face vicious attacks online where they are harassed and bullied. We have also noted how gender-based violence is evident in various spaces and online, where women are body-shamed and called all kinds of names.

SANEF notes the social media charter that was recently launched by the SA Human Rights Commission, which we hope would assist in deterring bullies that use social media for their nefarious agendas.

While we note the launch of the charter, we have unfortunately seen little action being taken by the prosecution authorities on this.

SANEF supports the view that the charges have no merits and should be dismissed as such. We will continue to support Maughan, and we are hopeful of a positive outcome in court.

Note to Editors:

The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) is a non-profit organisation whose members are editors, senior journalists, and journalism trainers from all areas of South African media. We are committed to championing South Africa’s hard-won freedom of expression and promoting quality, ethics, and diversity in the South African media. We promote excellence in journalism through fighting for media freedom, writing policy submissions, research, and education and training programmes. SANEF is not a union.

For more information please contact:

  • Sbu Ngalwa – SANEF Chairperson (073) 404-1415
  • Nwabisa Makunga – SANEF Deputy Chairperson (082) 555-1972
  • Tshamano Makhadi – Treasurer-General (082) 223 0621
  • Makhudu Sefara – SANEF Media Freedom Chair (079) 177-2134
  • Katy Katopodis – SANEF Wellness and Safety Chair (082) 805-7022
  • Judy Sandison – SANEF KZN Convenor (082) 571-3334
  • Dr. Glenda Daniels – SANEF Gauteng Convenor (083) 229-9708
  • Rochelle De Kock – SANEF Eastern Cape Convenor (072) 969-8028
  • Reggy Moalusi – SANEF Executive Director (071) 682-3695
Diversity and Ethics (2)

INMA’s Removal of the ‘Baby Trade’ Story Welcomed by SANEF

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The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) welcomes the removal of the “Baby Trade” story as a shortlisted piece from the International News Media Association (INMA) Global Media Awards.

The so-called docuseries, first published as a story by Pretoria News last June, was shortlisted in the category of “Best Use of Social Media”, a nomination SANEF strongly objected to.

Through correspondence to INMA, SANEF expressed its dissatisfaction with this problematic and flawed nomination. Until SANEF released its last statement, initial responses from INMA left a lot to be desired, as they did their bid to argue that the judges were “judging the quality of the social media campaign – not the story itself”.

We accept the latest statement which states: “Given the opportunity to review information from all parties related to the concerns raised, our international judges have reconsidered the entry, and it is no longer a finalist. We respect the jury’s decision,” stated Earl Wilkinson, INMA’s executive director.

We welcome this removal, and hope INMA will in the future attend better to shortlisted pieces, particularly those that threaten the trust in the media, and aim to work against ethical journalism as they purport disinformation through stories found to be a ‘hoax’ by their own internal ombudsman.

For more information please contact:

  • Sbu Ngalwa – SANEF Chairperson (073) 404-1415
  • Adriaan Basson – SANEF Deputy Chairperson (082) 562-2113
  • Monica Laganparsad – Acting Secretary-General (082) 578-6111
  • Nwabisa Makunga – Treasurer (082) 555-1972
  • Makhudu Sefara – SANEF Acting Media Freedom Chair (079) 177-2134
  • Asanda Ngoasheng – Western Cape Convenor – 082 610-9374
  • Judy Sandison – SANEF KZN Convenor (082) 571-3334
  • Katy Katopodis – SANEF Gauteng Convenor (082) 805-7022
  • Chiara Carter – SANEF Eastern Cape Convenor (082) 659-9162
  • Reggy Moalusi – SANEF Executive Director (071) 682-3695

 

Socials

Twitter: @SAEditorsForum

Email: [email protected]

Website: SANEF

Diversity and Ethics (2)

SANEF Appalled at Shortlisting of the “Baby Trade” Story for the INMA Awards

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The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) is appalled at the retention of a false report about the so-called birth of Decuplets in Gauteng as a shortlisted piece of journalism for the upcoming Global Media Awards.

This story – first published by Independent Media’s Pretoria News last year – is entered under the category, “Best Use of Social Media” in the International News Media Awards (INMA).

SANEF has written to the INMA to express its concern, but despite this – the video series remains one of the nominees. We also find it entirely unsatisfactory that in its response, the INMA says the judges were “judging the quality of the social media campaign – not the story itself”.

The INMA further went on to state it is “not in a position to reverse their jury’s decision to shortlist the social media campaign, given the information at their disposal during the judging process in February 2022, the additional context surrounding the story will be weighed in the ongoing process to select winners which will be announced by INMA in June 2022.”

This response is unfortunately not good enough for SANEF, as it legitimises a campaign borne out of a story that has been proven not only to be ludicrous, but also an embarrassment to South African journalism.

Unfortunately, the embarrassment continues as the same newspaper group, a paying member of INMA, continues to publish more stories that seek to purport the legitimacy of the decuplets’ so-called birth. It is important to note that the ten babies are still to be seen and no proof has ever been provided that they do in fact exist.

This report has no basis in truth, is factually inaccurate and contributes to the spread of disinformation, deliberately misleading audiences. It’s now public knowledge and widely accepted that the piece perpetuates disinformation and has been flagged for its total lack of verification, and deeply questionable ‘sources’.

The legitimacy of the entire so-called story has been called into question. As the June awards fast approach, we call on the INMA to reconsider its stance. The Decuplets report has been condemned by the Gauteng Provincial Government, and the medical fraternity at large … with all key role players distancing themselves from it.

It is not only fake, but also dangerous as it seriously sets back the advances made by the country in protecting women and children. Ethical journalism and building public trust are the cornerstones of good journalistic practices – yet this piece majestically fails at both.

We urgently call on the INMA, as a business associated with reputable publishers worldwide, to immediately remove the shortlisting of this piece from this category, further noting how Independent Media’s own internal ombudsman, in a ruling dated 5 July 2021, flagged the initial story as having ‘failed to pass the basic principles of journalism’ and amounted to a ‘hoax.’

For more information please contact:

  • Sbu Ngalwa – SANEF Chairperson (073) 404-1415
  • Adriaan Basson – SANEF Deputy Chairperson (082) 562-2113
  • Monica Laganparsad – Acting Secretary-General (082) 578-6111
  • Nwabisa Makunga – Treasurer (082) 555-1972
  • Makhudu Sefara – SANEF Acting Media Freedom Chair (079) 177-2134
  • Asanda Ngoasheng – Western Cape Convenor – 082 610-9374
  • Judy Sandison – SANEF KZN Convenor (082) 571-3334
  • Katy Katopodis – SANEF Gauteng Convenor (082) 805-7022
  • Chiara Carter – SANEF Eastern Cape Convenor (082) 659-9162
  • Reggy Moalusi – SANEF Executive Director (071) 682-3695

 

Socials

Twitter: @SAEditorsForum

Email: [email protected]

Website: SANEF

Diversity and Ethics (2)

SANEF Notes Report About Reckless, Irresponsible Journalism at Pretoria News Following Publication of Decuplets

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The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) notes the findings made by Advocate Michael Donen that Pretoria News editor, Piet Rampedi, was reckless when he published an article stating as fact that a woman had given birth to ten babies, without any evidence.

Donen investigated whether Rampedi followed due diligence when working on the story about the alleged birth of the decuplets and if there were any ethical breaches in the reporting of the story by other Independent Media publications/platforms. At the time, Rampedi reported that the woman had given birth to decuplets – breaking the Guinness World Record.

Donen found that at the time of publication there was no evidence that the woman had given birth to ten babies.

“Due to the fact that the birth of decuplets is unknown in human history, I concluded that to publish a story saying the decuplets were born and that the Guinness book of world record was broken without corroboration was reckless. The only evidence that existed at the time was a report that had been made by the alleged father and he had said that his wife had told him that she gave birth to decuplets. I regard that according to journalistic standards as reckless and that would be so regardless of whether the current inquiry proves that,” Donen said.

Independent Media launched the investigation after SANEF called for an independent inquiry. SANEF will always stand for ethical journalism and the practising of credible journalism across newsrooms.

The news story was a clear case of a gross lapse of ethical journalism that has done untold damage to the profession at a time when we are focused on rebuilding the trust relationship with the public.

The cardinal principle in journalism is to get the facts right the first time by ensuring that all the information is corroborated by more than one source. When the information cannot be corroborated, we owe it to our audiences to be transparent and inform them accordingly.

SANEF again calls on Independent Media to rejoin the Press Council of SA, so that the company’s publications can be held to the same industry-accepted rules, as other media companies. The Press Council allows for all media houses to be held accountable when they act in breach of the Press Code and fail to practise ethical journalism.

It also allows for those aggrieved to be able to complain before an independent panel. We hope Independent Media will reflect on the treatment of the story and ensure that all subsequent stories are backed up by real evidence and credible sources. We hope that they will also review their internal systems to ensure all stories are subjected to rigorous checks before publication.

SANEF has also noted subsequent claims made by Independent Media, again without evidence. They make serious allegations of a “cover-up” involving politicians, medical professionals, and hospitals. We hope the promised ten-part documentary will see them abide by world accepted journalistic standards to provide evidence to all allegations.

As an organisation – charged with the responsibility to champion media freedom and promote ethical journalism – we have confined our comments to the part of the report that deals with journalism and do not in any way vouch for other unverified claims made, during the release of the report.

Note to Editors: The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) is a non-profit organisation whose members are editors, senior journalists, and journalism trainers from all areas of the South African media. We are committed to championing South Africa’s hard-won freedom of expression and promoting quality, ethics, and diversity in the South African media. We promote excellence in journalism through fighting for media freedom, writing policy submissions, research and education and training programmes. SANEF is not a union.

For more information please contact:

  • Sbu Ngalwa – SANEF Chairperson (073) 404-1415
  • Adriaan Basson – SANEF Deputy Chairperson (082) 562-2113
  • Mahlatse Mahlase – Secretary General (083) 399-2852
  • Nwabisa Makunga – Treasurer (082) 555-1972
  • Mary Papayya – SANEF Media Freedom Chair (082) 379-4957
  • Asanda Ngoasheng – Western Cape Convenor – 082 610-9374
  • Judy Sandison – SANEF KZN Convenor (082) 571-3334
  • Katy Katopodis – SANEF Gauteng Convenor (082) 805-7022
  • Chiara Carter – SANEF Eastern Cape Convenor (082) 659-9162
  • Reggy Moalusi – SANEF Executive Director (071) 682-3695

Socials

Twitter: @SAEditorsForum

Email: [email protected]

Website: SANEF

Disinformation (2)

Next SANEF Election Webinars and Session Replay

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Thank you for attending the SANEF: Role of media during elections webinar.

Please find the dates to our next webinars below as well as resources and the recording links to our webinar held on Tuesday.

The training is part of SANEF’s ongoing capacity building and investment in democracy and governance reporting skills, to ensure that journalists provide the public with fair, balanced and accurate information to rely on when they prepare for voting day.

Webinar, 7 September

Role of media during elections replay here 

14 September 2021 | 10AM – 12.00PM

Webinar: Disinformation during the elections 
– The shortcomings of the term ‘fake news’, and alternative terminology to be used;
– The different regional and regulatory responses to address disinformation, and the measures being implemented in South Africa to address disinformation online during the elections and during the COVID-19 pandemic;
– The standard of care required by the media and the importance of media credibility;
– Guidelines for countering disinformation: the important role of the media in publishing counter-narratives, fact‑checking and verification, and practical guidance for journalists.
Register here

 21 September 2021 | 10AM – 11.45PM

Webinar: Safety of journalists on and off line 
– The types of threats, harassment, and attacks faced by the media — including gender-specific — and the obligations on the state and media organisations.
– The importance of the protection of sources, as recognised under our domestic case law.
– Practical guidance for journalists to protect themselves online, including on social media, and in reporting during the COVID-19 pandemic.
– Practical guidance for journalists on where they can seek assistance and recourse in the event of threats, harassment or attacks.
Register here

Resources:

Presentation: Module 2 Elections training PowerPoint

Portal: Module 2 training

To help us improve, please take a few minutes to take our survey and let us know what you thought about our webinar.

For more information please contact:

  • Mahlatse Mahlase – SANEF Chairperson, (083) 399-2852
  • Katy Katopodis – SANEF Deputy Chairperson, (082) 805-7022
  • Moipone Malefane – SANEF Secretary-General (082) 772-5861
  • Mary Papayya – SANEF Media Freedom Chair (082) 379-4957
  • Sbu Ngalwa – SANEF Eastern Cape Convenor (073) 404-1415
  • Janet Heard – SANEF Western Cape Convenor (078) 041-9528
  • Hopewell Radebe – SANEF Gauteng Regional Convenor (083) 582-1734
  • Judy Sandison – SANEF KZN Convenor (082) 571-3334
  • Kate Skinner – SANEF Executive Director – (082) 926-6404

Socials

Twitter: @SAEditorsForum

Email: [email protected]

Website: SANEF

Diversity and Ethics (2)

Help Develop an Action Plan for Journalism

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There are moments where the South African media falls short, eroding trust in journalism at a time when accountability, factual and fair reporting are crucial. 

To restore trust in the media, the South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) commissioned an independent inquiry headed by retired Judge Kathleen Satchwell and panelists and her fellow panelists Rich Mkhondo and Nikiwe Bikitsha to investigate ethical lapses facing local journalism.

When this seminal inquiry report was released in January 2020, SANEF undertook the role to “interrogate” the recommendations and develop an action plan to implement some of the findings.

This report now forms the basis of a four-part series of webinars, bringing together key stakeholders for an in-depth review of the Satchwell Report findings. Each webinar will define key recommendations to put forward during a national online conference in May. 

The webinar series will take a deep dive into the seven industry categories of recommendations outlined in the report. The discussions will contribute and build-up to the conference. The conference will work towards debating the recommendations that should be included in the five-year ethics action plan. 

May marks World Press Freedom Month and on May 3 various events will be held to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Windhoek Declaration celebrated under the theme of “Information as a Public Good”.

“The SANEF ethics conference planned for later in the month will bring together journalists from across the country, civil society and other role players to develop a clear plan to implement the report recommendations,” said SANEF Secretary General Mahlatse Mahlase.

“The terms of reference of the inquiry were to look at possibilities of ethical lapses across the industry and to find solutions to enhance quality, ethical journalism. More than ever journalists need to strengthen the bond of trust with the public and we can only do that when we openly confront what is wrong and correct it,” Mahlase said.

The panel engaged with 167 individuals and entities, perused about 200 documents and sought ad hoc research inputs (including a comprehensive longitudinal study of the work of the South African Press Council). Newsroom practitioners, owners, academics, consumers and concerned individuals and institutions also gave their input. Their ideas guided the final 69 recommendations which covered seven thematic areas. 

Interested persons can sign up to participate in the webinar discussions on the following dates.

Do join on Wednesday for this critical session:

 

Webinar 1: Building an Ethical Framework for SA Journalism

Wednesday April 21, 2021 at 3pm – 5pm

Theme 1 – Media Freedom including dealing with mis and disinformation.

Theme 2 – Media Diversity including counteracting racial and gender biases and prejudices, racism and sexism in the media.

Moderated by SANEF Ethics Committee Chair Monica Laganparsad with expert input from Report Panellist Rich Mkhondo, Former Ombud Joe Thloloe and Rhodes University Professor Anthea Garmen.

Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcscuigqj8rHNXzrRn83bbw9_UC0Epf0uNT

 

Webinar 2: Using Ethics as a Tool for Change

Friday April 23, 2021 at 3pm – 5pm

Theme 3 – Strengthening ethics codes and principles

Theme 4 – Strengthening the regulators

Moderated by SANEF Media Freedom Committee chair  Mary Papayya with expert input from Wits University Professor Franz Kruger Aidan White, Ethical Journalism Network and PCSA director Latiefa Mobara.

Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYsfuChqj0jGtFiZrKLhHXQaJ51qE_mE6aN

 

Webinar 3: Technological Impact on Ethics

Wednesday, April 28, 2021, at 10 am – 12 am

Theme 5 – Safety of journalists

Theme 6 – Strengthening Continuing professional development

Moderated by SANEF E&T Committee chair Tshamano Makhadi with expert input from International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) executive director Elisa Munoz and Africa Check executive director Noko Makgato.

Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwrcOmgqjIoE9VWSJ1S5uN40w9_6CvKwZVj

 

Webinar 4: Media Sustainability 

Wednesday 05 May 2021 at 10 am – 11 am

Theme 7 – Financial sustainability of the media 

Moderated by Access to Information and Media Policy Committee chair Izak Minnaar.

Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUodeGuqD4iGdBKQ3Y1ZOShfk3jYXWW_YbI

 

The conference will map the vision of South Africa’s media journey to date. It will be a means to collaborate on the vision for tomorrow’s media that will hopefully reflect more accountable, more factual, and fairer reporting processes.

Conference details will be released soon. Access the Media Ethics and Credibility report here.

COVID-19

SANEF Calls for Responsible Media Reporting on Vaccines

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The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) is deeply concerned about the high level of misinformation, fake news and disinformation relating to Covid-19 and to vaccination. We wish to caution against the spread of news intentionally misleading the public which has become an increasing problem for the functioning of our democracies, affecting individuals’ understanding of reality.

We note that social media is increasingly used to influence and manipulate public opinion and societal attitudes towards the COVID-19 crisis. A growing number of government officials, political representatives and some misguided individuals are turning to internet platforms and media outlets to exert influence and to peddle disinformation on vaccines and COVID-19.

We therefore call on the country’s media outlets to debunk misinformation, disinformation and fake news about COVID-19 and vaccines. We urge journalists to be cautious in their continued efforts of balancing news reports not to allow anti-vaccination comments without scientific response. SANEF does not call for censorship, but for sensible, fair and balanced open debate on these sensitive issues. They are a matter of life and death for the nation.

Amid controversy surrounding the perceived safety of vaccines, SANEF calls on news outlets to explain vaccines and how they work quoting credible science-based institutions and experts to counter the spread of hate and fear or the perpetuation of misunderstandings.

We believe that the media’s commitment to fairness and balance should be guided by its concomitant responsibility to prioritise the public interest, based on the objective and factual verification required to make the news accurate and credible.

SANEF also encourages citizens to report disinformation to the real411.org online portal. This includes false, inaccurate, or misleading information that is designed, presented, and promoted online and on social media platforms to intentionally cause public harm. There is also the Ombuds office in the Press Council as well as the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa (BCCSA) to deal with print and broadcasting, respectively.

Note to Editors: The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) is a non-profit organisation whose members are editors, senior journalists and journalism trainers from all areas of the South African media. We are committed to championing South Africa’s hard-won freedom of expression and promoting quality, ethics and diversity in the South African media. We promote excellence in journalism through fighting for media freedom, writing policy submissions, research and education and training programmes. SANEF is not a union.

For more information please contact:

  • Sbu Ngalwa – SANEF Chairperson (073) 404-1415
  • Adriaan Basson – SANEF Deputy Chairperson (082) 562-2113
  • Mahlatse Mahlase – Secretary General (083) 399-2852
  • Nwabisa Makunga – Treasurer (082) 555-1972
  • Mary Papayya – SANEF Media Freedom Chair (082) 379-4957
  • Chiara Carter – SANEF Eastern Cape Convenor (082) 659-9162
  • Katy Katopodis – SANEF Gauteng Convenor (082) 805-7022
  • Judy Sandison – SANEF KZN Convenor (082) 571-3334
  • Asanda Ngoasheng – Western Cape Convenor – 082 610 9374
  • Kate Skinner – SANEF Executive Director – (082) 926-6404

Socials

Twitter: @SAEditorsForum

Email: [email protected]

Website: SANEF

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