With the rise in the popularity of social media platforms, reported violations of people’s rights on these various platforms have been surfacing.  The Commission has noted with concern the increasing use of social media platforms to insult, to offend, harass and bully others, and this has directly impacted the workload of the Commission, and undermined its efforts to promote a culture within the country that is respecting of human rights. It should be understood that expression while guaranteed under the Bill of Rights, is not unfettered. Such expression on social media causes immediate and intense harm to victims due to the immediacy and viral nature of the transmission of such content.

In an effort to counteract the unsociable and unconstitutional conduct on social media, the Commission has developed a Social Media Charter, which it is hoped will serve as a guide to all users including young children and parents. Corporates and organizations wishing to develop in-house policies on the use of social media, will also find the Charter useful.

The Charter will be publicly launched on the 14 March 2023, during this Human Rights month, as part of a range of activities planned during this year under the Social Harmony National Effort (SHINE), which is aimed at developing social harmony through self-reflection and positive dialogue.

The launch will be held under the theme: "A Call to Action: Defending Human Rights in the Era of Social Media”

The launch of Social Media Charter is scheduled to take place as follows:
Date: 14 March 2023
Time: 10:00 - 13:00
Venue: Main Auditorium, South Campus, Nelson Mandela University, Eastern Cape
Livestream: YouTube at SAHRC1

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 Advocacy and Research Officer, Zukiswa N Mqakanya @ 043 722 7828 or email on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.