2nd Floor, 20 Baker Street, Rosebank, Johannesburg, 2169

Disinformation

SANEF’S COMMITMENT TO COUNTER DISINFORMATION

STATEMENT ON DISINFORMATION

The South African National Editors Forum (SANEF) sees the proliferation of misinformation and disinformation as dangerous to the health of our democracy.

SANEF is opposed to the term “fake news”.  We believe the term has been abused by US President, Donald Trump to discredit legitimate media.

SANEF defines “misinformation” as information that is inaccurate.

“Disinformation” however is more dangerous – there is an intention to mislead and cause public harm.

SANEF is working closely with Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) to counter “misinformation” and “disinformation”. MMA undertook extensive research in respect of disinformation and possible strategies and approaches for the 2019 elections. This included setting up a portal, with the Independent Electoral Commission, to report disinformation online and on social media.

Please go to the “REAL 411” for more information: www.real411.org.

The platform is now being used to fight disinformation on social media during the Coronavirus.

If you are unhappy with the accuracy of information in print and online publications please go to the Press Council. https://www.presscouncil.org.za/ 

If you are unhappy with the accuracy of information on broadcast platforms please go to the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa (BCCSA)  https://bccsa.co.za/