Parliament, Tuesday, 29 August 2023 – The Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies has expressed its appreciation to the stakeholders who participated in the first day of the symposium on the impact of digital media in misinformation, disinformation and content moderation ahead of the 2024 national elections.
The committee held the first of its two-day symposium at the Tshedimosetso House in Hatfield, Pretoria. Participating stakeholders included the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa, the South African Broadcasting Corporation, the Film and Publication Board, the Independent Electoral Commission, the National Association of Broadcasters, as well as the Government Communications and Information Systems.
The Chairperson of the committee, Mr Boyce Maneli, said: “We believe that day one was a success because stakeholders made insightful presentations that sparked meaningful discussions.”
The committee aims to assess the state of readiness of the communication sector and its capacity to meet its mandate to disseminate information fairly in the run-up to the national and provincial government elections in 2024, including the measures it will take to guard against disseminating misinformation during future elections.
Tomorrow, the symposium will receive presentations from TikTok, Meta, Google, X and Right2Know.
Mr Maneli further said that in the interests of holding free and fair elections and protecting South Africa’s democracy in the digital age, Parliament should begin to debate the guidelines that will ensure fair and impartial communications during election cycles.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES
For media inquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the committee’s media officer:
Name: Mr Justice Molafo
Tel: 021 403 8444
Cell: 081 424 7481
Email: jmolafo@parliament.gov.za
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