Every election brings a wave of content designed not to inform you, but to mislead you. Here is how to recognise it — and what to do about it.

What disinformation actually is

Disinformation is false content created deliberately to deceive and cause harm. That intent is what separates it from an honest mistake or an opinion you disagree with. During elections, its target is your vote: who you trust, whether you turn out, and what you believe happened.

The four harms you can report

Real411 accepts reports across four categories: disinformation, hate speech, incitement to violence, and harassment of journalists. In practice that looks like a doctored image of a ballot, a fabricated "statement" from a party or the IEC, a fake account impersonating a candidate, or a coordinated pile-on against a reporter.

Who can report? Anyone.

You don't need to be a lawyer, a journalist or a member of anything. If you can screenshot it, you can report it — at real411.org.za, in about two minutes.

What happens after you press submit

Your report goes to three independent reviewers. An experienced lawyer determines the outcome, which is published. If you disagree with an outcome, there is a formal appeal mechanism. No outside actor can influence a decision.

Why your report matters

Disinformation works by spreading faster than corrections. Every report shortens that window. This election, the platform for doing something about it is designated, official and open to everyone.

See something? Do something: real411.org.za.