The always-on social media world of bots, likes and shares has become the new battlefield of what’s real and not real in the news and information we read. What appears to be truth can sometimes be propaganda being peddled to derail elections or sway public opinion with the intent to cause harm. This is called DIGITAL DISINFORMATION.
Digital disinformation is false, inaccurate, or misleading information designed, presented and promoted to intentionally cause public harm.
Real411 has been created to give all citizens the power to report digital disinformation during the run up to the 2019 South African National and Provincial Elections. When you report to the Real411, you are reporting to the Electoral Commission’s (IEC) Directorate for Electoral Offences. The IEC will rule on acts of disinformation for appropriate action to be taken.
REAL411 IS DEDICATED TO UPHOLDING DEMOCRACY AND FAIR AND JUST ELECTIONS.
What does the Electoral Act say about intentional false statements?
It's in Section 89 (2) of the Electoral Act of 1998:
"No person may publish any false information with the intention of-
- disrupting or preventing an election;
- creating hostility or fear in order to influence the conduct or outcome of an election; or
- influencing the outcome or conduct of an election.
As we look forward to the 2019 National Elections in South Africa, we also need to be mindful of people publishing and sharing false, inaccurate or misleading information with the intention to disrupt or affect the elections in any way. Disinformation can undermine the integrity of elections.
Find out more about the Real411 and the Digital Disinformation Complaints Process.
Make a Digital Disinformation Complaint here
Find out more about Digital Disinformation.