In this regard section 16 (1) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa provides protections for the media and individuals for freedom of expression. These freedoms are however cautioned not to extend to what may constitute an infringement of other people’s rights. Therefore, an increase in access to the media simultaneously result in an increased onus of responsibility placed on the media to maintain the highest standards of journalism, quality and factual content.  
The recent rise of social media has further ushered in new challenges and benefits. For one, social media has been used in some instances to spread propaganda and fake news. There has also been a considerable amount of hate speech perpetuated through social media as can be seen from the complaints currently received by the Eastern Cape Provincial Office, as well as the Commission as a whole.

In view of the above, the Commission will present two briefings on Disinformation: The Effect on Social Cohesion and Human Rights on Monday, the 17th of October 2022 in Gqeberha. The Commission will be assisted during these sessions by the Digital Forensic Research Lab (“DFRLab”), and aims to popularise the risks and dangers presented by an increasingly developing digital world. The Sessions will further be led by the Deputy Chairperson of the Commission, Commissioner F Chohan.

The stakeholder engagements are scheduled to take place as follows:
First Briefing Session:

Date:   17th of October 2022 at 09h00

Venue: Gqeberha, Chancellor’s Room(Next to the sports Centre) at NMU , Eastern Cape.
Virtual Platform: link for the virtual platform: https://teams.microsoft.com/dl/launcher/launcher.html?url=%2F_%23%2Fl%2Fmeetup-join%2F19%3Ameeting_NTUwNDM5YWYtZjc2ZC00Y2I2LWFiNDUtOTZjODMyMTU4NTI2%40thread.v2%2F0%3Fcontext%3D%257b%2522Tid%2522%253a%25220159c87f-d04f-40b5-8866-46fb77a8d382%2522%252c%2522Oid%2522%253a%25225f6bc406-d8b7-4162-a520-e57df1a6187c%2522%257d%26anon%3Dtrue&type=meetup-join&deeplinkId=620cfedc-a845-40ad-90ba-a34a8b3283a5&directDl=true&msLaunch=true&enableMobilePage=true&suppressPrompt=true

Second Briefing:
17th of October 2022 at 14h00
Venue: North Campus Senate Hall, NMU
Virtual Platform:

https://teams.microsoft.com/dl/launcher/launcher.html?url=%2F_%23%2Fl%2Fmeetup-join%2F19%3Ameeting_OGMwMDk4YWMtOWZjMy00OWIzLWEzMmItZjYxYTViNTlkOGNm%40thread.v2%2F0%3Fcontext%3D%257b%2522Tid%2522%253a%25220159c87f-d04f-40b5-8866-46fb77a8d382%2522%252c%2522Oid%2522%253a%25225f6bc406-d8b7-4162-a520-e57df1a6187c%2522%257d%26anon%3Dtrue&type=meetup-join&deeplinkId=37c94758-e7cd-43c4-a2ef-3977babdecb8&directDl=true&msLaunch=true&enableMobilePage=true&suppressPrompt=true

Ends

For further information, contact the SAHRC Provincial Manager, Dr Eileen Carter @ 043 722 7828/072 638 9016 or email on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and Thembelihle Links@ 0732402948 or email on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

 
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