Programmes & Initiatives

Instill information integrity

Ensure diverse and pluralistic public interest information that is credible, accurate, transparent, and reliable.

Strategic Litigation

Using the courts to advance media freedom, digital rights, and the protection of children online through landmark legal cases.

SlappBack.org

South Africa's first national database tracking strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) and anti-SLAPP legal developments.

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SABC editorial policies website (digitised)

A digitised, accessible version of the SABC's editorial policies, making public broadcasting standards transparent and easy to reference.

Resolution 630 Africa consultation

Supporting the African consultation process on Resolution 630, developing a continent-led framework for digital platform accountability.

Reporting on Children Course with WITS

A journalism course with Wits University training practising journalists to report ethically and accurately on children's issues and rights.

Real411

A digital complaints platform enabling the public to report disinformation, hate speech, incitement, and harassment online.

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Research and Analysis

Ongoing monitoring, research, and data-driven analysis of South African and African media coverage to promote accountable journalism.

Isu Elihle

An award programme recognising outstanding journalism on children's issues, encouraging ethical and solutions-focused reporting across Africa.

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Africa reporting

Monitoring and analysis of media reporting across the African continent to track trends in press freedom and journalism ethics.

Adhoc Brief analyses on topical issues

Rapid-response media analysis briefs on breaking news and topical issues, providing timely insights on coverage trends and quality.

Spotters Network training and development

Training and growing a community network of digital citizens who identify and report disinformation, hate speech, and online harms.

Open & Disclose

A transparency platform for media organisations and journalists to publicly disclose their interests, strengthening accountability and trust.

ROVER - digital media literacy training

A digital media literacy training programme equipping communities with skills to critically evaluate online information and content.

Online Integrity Ombudsman

An initiative advocating for an independent ombudsman to oversee online content integrity and platform accountability in South Africa.

Media Freedom Festival

An annual multi-day festival of events interrogating key media freedom, press independence, and information integrity issues in South Africa.

Information Intregrity in Elections

Monitoring and combating disinformation during election periods to protect the integrity of democratic processes in South Africa and beyond.

Media20

An independent initiative alongside the G20 process highlighting media, journalism, and information integrity issues from an African perspective.

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MADOAT

An online media advocacy tool spotlighting the best and worst examples of media reporting on children to promote editorial accountability.

Disinformation Master Class

An intensive training programme teaching participants to identify, analyse, and counter disinformation in digital and traditional media.

Policy Submissions

Written submissions to parliament and regulators on legislation and policy affecting media freedom, digital rights, and children's online safety.

Human Rights Festival

An annual festival uniting civil society organisations to address pressing human rights issues through dialogue, art, and activism.

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CRITICAL Campaign

A public awareness campaign promoting critical thinking and media literacy skills to help citizens navigate the information landscape.

Dexter

An in-house media monitoring and analysis tool that processes content in real-time, powering data-driven insights on media coverage trends.

Open information

Promote safe, respectful, inclusive spaces that allow people to express themselves freely within the bounds of local and international law.

WaziECD Climate / ECD

A programme exploring the intersection of early childhood development and climate change through community-driven media initiatives.

Tease & Seize

An initiative unpacking the terms and conditions of popular social media platforms to reveal how they impact users' fundamental rights.

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Engagement with Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression (UN)

Direct engagement with the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression to advance African perspectives on media freedom and digital rights.

KnowNews extension

A browser extension that helps users identify whether news websites they visit are credible or potentially unreliable.

Competition Commission Inquiry

Participation in South Africa's Competition Commission inquiry into the impact of digital platforms on media sustainability and competition.

Campaign on SABC Bill

Advocacy campaign to ensure the SABC Amendment Bill strengthens public broadcasting independence, accountability, and editorial integrity.

Promote safety

Promote safe, respectful, inclusive spaces that allow people to express themselves freely within the bounds of local and international law.

Draft African Model Law on Child Online Safety

Developing a continental model law to protect children online, setting standards for African nations to adopt in their legislation.

MARS - Media Attack Reporting System

A system for documenting and reporting attacks on journalists and media workers across Africa to defend press freedom.

Mapping Children's Privacy Rights in Africa and online safety

Research initiative mapping how children's privacy and online safety rights are protected across African countries.

I3 Africa - AI tool tracking online incitement to violence

An AI-powered tool that tracks and analyses online incitement to violence across African digital platforms.

GBV digital lexicon

A digital glossary of terms related to gender-based violence online, supporting research and reporting on digital GBV.

Webrangers Annual course (online safety in schools training programme)

A multi-stakeholder digital literacy programme training school learners aged 12-17 to champion online safety and responsible internet use.

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Hashplay

An interactive online platform teaching children to critically engage with social media while staying safe online.

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Handbook for Judges on Online Harms

A practical guide equipping judges with the knowledge to adjudicate cases involving online harms, digital rights, and platform accountability.

Article 12 Programme

Named after UNCRC Article 12, this programme empowers children to participate in policy discussions on their digital rights.

Build your Rizz

A youth-focused programme building confidence and digital communication skills for young people navigating online spaces.

UNHCR project on anti-xenophobic and youth

A partnership with UNHCR combating xenophobic narratives online and empowering youth to promote tolerance and inclusion.