Deputy President Paul Mashatile
Johannesburg – With multiple African countries gearing up for electoral processes, Deputy President Paul Mashatile made a strong appeal for responsible and ethical social media usage on Tuesday. Speaking at the launch of key guidelines aimed at managing digital discourse during elections, he emphasized the importance of maintaining a fair and respectful online atmosphere.
“We can run campaigns on social media without being malicious or degrading of both individuals and organisations,” Mashatile stated firmly, as political strategists across the continent listened attentively.
The ‘Principles and guidelines for the use of digital and social media in African elections’ event, held in Johannesburg, addressed the need for setting standards in the otherwise unruly landscape of social media debates and campaign strategies.
Mashatile, who delivered the keynote address, highlighted the fragility of the political environment during election times, saying, “The reality is that the political environment during elections is tense and volatile, and we should use social media with responsibility to ensure that the content we share is credible and accurate.”
These guidelines, which were adopted at the 11th General Assembly meeting of the Association of African Electoral Authorities (AAEA) in Benin last year, aim to raise awareness among election management bodies (EMBs) about the potential benefits and risks posed by digital and social media to electoral integrity and processes.
The comprehensive framework set out by the principles spans freedom of speech, access to information, privacy rights, and the roles of various stakeholders including the state, political parties, candidates, and the media. Notably, it requires transparency in online campaigns, demanding the clear attribution of paid content and the use of influencers.
“These principles and guidelines are groundbreaking for Africa,” the Deputy President lauded, acknowledging the instrumental role played by South Africa’s Electoral Commission (IEC) on behalf of AAEA in their development.
As over 20 African Union Member States, including South Africa, prepare for elections, Mashatile underscored the timeliness of the launch, seeing it as a prime opportunity for refining social media usage regulations and protocols.
“We will, therefore, continue to uphold the right to free and fair elections in this election and thereafter, as we have done since 1994,” he vowed. Mashatile also highlighted the importance of using social media positively to engage Africa’s youth, who are increasingly dominant on platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.
Moreover, he stressed the need to combat misinformation and disinformation, which he described as significant threats to democracy that can diminish trust in the electoral process and potentially depress voter turnout.
In gratitude, the Deputy President recognized the digital companies and agencies that have partnered with African EMBs to provide technical know-how and enhance their capabilities.
Adding to the conversation, IEC Chairperson Mosotho Moepya advocated for harnessing the positive aspects of the internet, “We’re working with those who own social media, authorities and EMBs, and we’re trying to find a way in which we can use social media to help us in the work that we do; and at the same time, to limit the damage it can do when it is abused.”
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