IEC’s new 36-hour code may not be enough to curb misinformation: R2K
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As South Africa prepares for the November 4 Local Government Elections, the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has introduced a new Electoral Code of Conduct Countering Disinformation, aimed at curbing the spread of false and misleading information by political parties and candidates.
The code comes amid growing concerns about social media, manipulated content and artificial intelligence being used to influence voters. The IEC says the new code is intended to strengthen election integrity and ensure political parties and candidates take responsibility for the information they share.
However, Right2Know National Communication Coordinator Yolanda Yalezo says the code does not go far enough, particularly because much of the disinformation circulating during elections does not originate directly from political parties.
The code comes amid growing concerns about social media, manipulated content and artificial intelligence being used to influence voters. The IEC says the new code is intended to strengthen election integrity and ensure political parties and candidates take responsibility for the information they share.
However, Right2Know National Communication Coordinator Yolanda Yalezo says the code does not go far enough, particularly because much of the disinformation circulating during elections does not originate directly from political parties.
