Centre for Alternative Information RSA Slams Baseless Social Media Survey Claims as Misleading Echo Chamber Noise
Johannesburg, Gauteng – The Centre for Alternative Information RSA has strongly dismissed recent claims circulating on social media that purport to represent “the views of the people,” calling them misleading, baseless, and reliant on selective online chatter rather than genuine research. In a statement issued by spokesperson Siyabulela Mavimbela on Sunday, 3 November 2025, the organisation criticised these so-called surveys for lacking depth, integrity, and any real connection to community realities, urging the public to reject narratives driven by personal agendas.
This rebuke comes amid a surge in online misinformation in South Africa, where millions turn to platforms like Twitter and Facebook for news, often amplifying unverified opinions as facts. As digital reliance grows, such claims risk deepening divisions and undermining informed discourse, especially in a year marked by economic and political uncertainties.
The Statement’s Key Criticisms of Social Media Surveys
Mavimbela’s statement highlighted how these pseudo-surveys ignore lived experiences on the ground, relying instead on vocal minorities to manufacture public opinion. “This kind of pseudo-analysis lacks both depth and integrity. It completely ignores the lived realities and perspectives of people on the ground — the very citizens whose experiences and voices matter most,” the statement read.
It further accused the claims of being selective and sensational, failing basic scrutiny: “What we are seeing is a clear attempt to manufacture public opinion through biased narratives that fail to withstand even the most basic scrutiny. True democracy thrives on authentic engagement and evidence-based discourse — not on selective, sensational, and often ill-informed online surveys that lack decorum and credibility.”
The Centre dismissed the survey in its entirety, stating: “It does not represent the pulse of the people but rather reflects the echo chamber of those disconnected from the ground realities.” This call for evidence-based discussions echoes broader concerns about how unverified content can distort public sentiment and influence decisions.
Rising Tide of Misinformation in South Africa’s Digital Landscape
South Africa’s digital space has seen a sharp rise in misinformation, with surveys showing that over 84% of Africans, including many South Africans, rely on social media as their primary news source. This heavy dependence makes communities vulnerable to disinformation, especially on platforms where algorithms boost sensational content over facts.
In 2025 alone, reports have highlighted how emotional attachment to social media is waning, yet daily usage remains high – around 3 hours and 36 minutes on average. With 26.7 million active social media users in the country, unverified polls and claims spread rapidly, often ignoring diverse perspectives from rural and urban areas alike.
Official bodies like Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) have also had to clarify misrepresentations, such as updates to their Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) questionnaire, which were twisted online to fuel false narratives about employment data. These incidents show how selective chatter can skew perceptions, deepening inequalities and mistrust.
Calls for Authentic Engagement and Evidence-Based Discourse
The Centre’s statement urges a shift towards meaningful interaction and verifiable data: “Any serious reflection of public sentiment must be built on meaningful interaction, consultation, and verifiable data, not social media noise driven by personal agendas.” This aligns with efforts by organisations and government to promote digital literacy and fact-checking in a landscape where follower counts often trump accuracy.
Experts note that South Africa’s news ecosystem is evolving, with lower trust in traditional media pushing more towards social platforms. However, this has led to echo chambers where biased views dominate, ignoring the broader population’s realities.
Implications for Public Trust and Democracy
As misinformation thrives, it risks eroding democracy by imposing narrow opinions as widespread truths. The Centre’s dismissal serves as a reminder for South Africans to seek credible sources and engage directly with communities. With elections and policy debates on the horizon, fostering evidence-based discussions is crucial to bridging divides and addressing real issues like poverty and inequality.
The Centre for Alternative Information RSA continues to advocate for grounded, inclusive narratives, urging the public to question online claims and demand integrity in information sharing. As digital habits evolve, this call could spark wider efforts to combat falsehoods and rebuild trust in public discourse.
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