Through social media apps, websites, and other digital tools, the internet gives us a lot of ways to connect with each other. This makes information easy to find.
However, the ease with which we get information online makes it hard to determine how true it is. The COVID-19 pandemic is a great example of this challenge because knowledge spread very quickly through our phones and social media sites.
The role of social media in shaping public opinion and influencing political outcomes has become undeniable. As South Africa gears up for its upcoming elections, the spectre of disinformation looms large, threatening to undermine the democratic process and distort electoral outcomes.
By William Baloyi
The instantaneous nature of social media makes it possible for people to have access to an abundance of information at their fingertips, however the information available online is not always reliable.
Inaccurate information has the potential to create unnecessary panic, threaten public safety and erode trust in our institutions. It also hampers people’s ability to make informed decisions.
