Election disinformation: Here’s how to report it

October 21, 2026

Elections & Democracy

Media Monitoring

Research & Reports

Election disinformation: Here’s how to report it

Liezl Scheepers

The Independant Electorial Commission (IEC) has designated Real411 as the online complaints mechanism for reporting incidences of disinformation in terms of the Disinformation Code.

Political parties and candidates are required to report instances of disinformation or suspected disinformation distributed through online platforms to this mechanism within 36 hours of becoming aware of them.

Election disinformation: Here’s how to report it

IEC concern about misinformation that might harm the integrity of the elections - Power FM

IEC receives more than 700 complaints over election disinformation ahead of polls

South Africa: IEC signs Big Tech pact to combat poll disinformation

Election disinformation: Here’s how to report it

Media Freedom Festival 2026

Tougher rules urged to combat cyber violence

Government intensifies efforts to curb misinformation and disinformation ahead of the elections

The Power of Voters Between Elections

SAHRC calls for stronger laws to protect children online

Information integrity ahead of local government elections took centre stage at Moxii Africa’s Media Freedom Festival

LGE 2026: Be the shield against misinformation

IEC has over 700 cases of election-related disinformation

IEC gazettes code to tackle election disinformation

Disinformation Code launched ahead of November elections

New rules to stop politicians from spreading lies in South Africa

Real411 brings legal muscle to the fight against election disinformation

Media Statement: Communications Committee Concerned Over Prolonged Delays in Completing Broadcasting Digital Migration Project

Between brilliance and inertia — the dual reality of SA’s legal landscape

Major US media houses suspend Trump coverage: William Bird

#IMadeMyMark: Stakeholders meet to discuss potential threats, solutions ahead of local elections

The Electoral Code of Conduct on Countering Disinformation

Communications authority ordered to fast-track political broadcast complaints

LGE 2026 | Regulations for party election broadcasts and political adverts

New rules to stop politicians from spreading lies in South Africa

Electoral stakeholders target online disinformation ahead of local government elections

LGE 2026 | IEC moves to curb election disinformation: William Bird shares more

IEC gazettes code to tackle election disinformation

IEC sets 36-hour deadline for political parties to report fake news

Awards wrap: Nick Hamman nominated for Forty Under 40 Awards, Tiffany Markman inducted into the SA Educator Hall of Fame, PRISA extends PRISMS Young Voices deadline

Public protector: Charge sextortion perpetrators with corruption

15 years late and 12 ministers later

Still no end in sight to South Africa’s digital migration saga

Jobs bloodbath in media - William Bird, Slindile Khanyile weigh in

Partnership for information integrity and elections programme meets to discuss potential threats and solutions ahead of local elections

Significant Court Win for Media Freedom as UNISA’s Urgent Application Struck Off the Roll

SABC's R120m 2026 election coverage funding shortfall

William Bird commends the police for arresting Scharnick

UNISA Gag Order Collapse Signals New Momentum for Independent African Journalism

Unisa fails in bid to gag reports on alleged governance crisis

Media groups condemn intimidation of migrants and journalists ahead of 30 June protests

2026 Nationwide Media Training on Elections Concludes with 700 Journalists Trained

Lucrative online influence detected during South Africa’s 30 June protests

SANEF Elects New Leadership and Charts Course for Journalism in a Changing Environment

Child rights group calls for Africa-wide social media ban for kids under 16

Moxii Africa holds workshop on countering hate speech to observe International Day for Countering Hate Speech

When misinformation becomes a weapon — Afrophobia, social media and 30 June

Countering disinformation and safeguarding our democracy

Learner-led initiative – launch of the Web Rangers Programme with Moxii Africa in public schools

South Africa moving ahead with TV signal switch

SABC TV licence model is due for a reboot as only 15% pay

Should SA follow Australia and other countries in banning social media for children under 16?

IEC to tackle AI fakes and social media scams ahead of local elections

South African Media prepare for 2026/27 local government elections

Second IEC-led media training heads to Limpopo as nationwide programme gains momentum

Fresh delays hit analogue switch-off

The Social Media 4 Peace (SM4P) project aims to contribute to peace narratives and advance human rights for all

Govt wants new framework to regulate podcasts in SA

Africa editors call for urgent reforms to promote information integrity and secure independent Journalism

Media Monitoring Africa moot court puts teenage social media ban on trial

African regulators working together to advance human rights-based digital platform governance

AI deepfake abuse on X sparks global scrutiny over platform safety

AI deepfake abuse on X sparks global scrutiny over platform safety

Grok’s undress feature violates South Africans’ rights, and must be stopped now

Government under pressure to shield whistleblowers after witness D murder

Big Tech, AI, and violence: How South African journalism is being tested

What the G20 taught us about marketing, media and reputation leadership

President Ramaphosa pleased with M20 Johannesburg Declaration initiative

President Ramaphosa pledges deeper engagement with media sector as he receives M20 Johannesburg Declaration

SA’s information watchdog takes on ‘Big Tech’

Five key takeaways from the Competition Commission report into Big Tech and the SA media

Cameroonian journalist Hans Achomba missing since November 5, 2025

Five key takeaways from the Competition Commission report into Big Tech and the SA media

SA’s women artists still fighting for visibility in a hostile music scene

Journalists and leaders unite at Johannesburg’s M20 Summit

M20 Summit to unpack challenges faced by the media

Wits Centre for Journalism endorses historic Media 20 Declaration

Unwavering commitment to solving the media’s challenges

Total blackout warning for the SABC

World News Day — we urgently need an information system that works for all