As noted in the SAHRC’s July 2021 Unrest report, the unrest serves as a stark example of how disinformation can fuel violence, looting, and destruction, exacerbating social tensions and instability. During this period, social media platforms were used to incite unrest through the spread of false narratives and manipulated content, leading to significant loss of life and economic devastation. Beyond moments of crisis, disinformation also plays a role in shaping perceptions of South Africa on the global stage. False or exaggerated narratives about governance, safety, and political affairs impact international investment and diplomatic relations, creating long-term consequences for national stability.

At a community level, disinformation affects access to essential services such as healthcare, water, and social welfare programs. Misinformation about public health services, for instance, has led to vaccine hesitancy and scepticism about medical interventions, undermining public trust in institutions. Similarly, false information about water contamination or service delivery failures has resulted in unnecessary panic and public resistance to government interventions. The spread of disinformation also threatens democracy, particularly during elections, by disseminating false claims about voter fraud, political candidates, and election outcomes, which in turn erode public confidence in democratic processes.

Furthermore, disinformation has been weaponized to promote hate speech and incitement, targeting vulnerable communities and fuelling discrimination, xenophobia, and violence.

In light of these growing concerns, the SAHRC invites academics, civil society organizations, media practitioners, policymakers, and the public to submit research papers, commentaries, and written contributions on human rights and the impact of disinformation. Submissions may explore a range of themes, including the intersection of disinformation and human rights, the role of social media platforms and digital technologies in spreading or combating false information, and the impact of disinformation on governance, democracy, and elections in South Africa. Contributors may also consider case studies on disinformation affecting marginalized communities, legal and policy responses to disinformation, and the role of National Human Rights Institutions in addressing these challenges. Perspectives on sub-regional cooperation within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to combat disinformation are also encouraged.

Submissions can take the form of research papers of up to 6,000 words, opinion pieces or commentaries between 1,500 and 3,000 words, or shorter case studies of approximately 1,000 words. Documents should be submitted in Word or PDF format, using a 12pt font with 1.5 spacing. Authors should clearly indicate their name, affiliation, and contact details. The deadline for submissions is 03 April 2025, and all contributions should be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. copying This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The SAHRC looks forward to engaging with diverse perspectives and contributions as it works towards developing a deeper understanding of the human rights implications of disinformation and strategies to address its challenges.

ENDS

ISSUED BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

For further information, Mr Wisani Baloyi on 081 016 8308 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Given Makhuvele @ 082 773 4428/ 072 1977 581 (WhatsApp) email on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.