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The Shifting Sands of Journalism: AI, Misinformation, and Political Upheaval in South Africa

Published January 31, 2024
10 months ago

As the digital landscape in South Africa and globally continues to evolve at breakneck speed, journalism is encountering unprecedented challenges and transformations. The Reuters report, "Journalism, Media and Technology Trends and Predictions 2024," stipulates a dramatic year ahead, with over 60 electoral processes unfolding worldwide amidst a potential overabundance of AI-generated content.


This prediction is a clarion call for more stringent human oversight. The mingling of technological errors and malevolent human interference is a potent recipe for misinformation and disinformation at scale. Consequently, the assertion that this will be a particularly rough period for South African journalism cannot be overstated. Issues such as media bribery, political subterfuge, and the orchestrated spread of falsehoods are anticipated to muddy the waters.


As political tensions rise in South Africa, it's uncertain whether the African National Congress (ANC) can maintain its dominance or if coalitions will become the new political currency. This year's uncertainties contrast starkly with the predictability of the 1994 elections, spotlighting the dynamic and unpredictable nature of the current political climate.


Moreover, President Cyril Ramaphosa may pivot from his norm by engaging more with press conferences to glean public approval ahead of the forthcoming elections. The dissemination of news will likely encounter new barriers, with investigative journalism facing considerable hurdles due to the necessity of extensive fact-checking and validation.


This contentious climate is demonstrated by the saga of Thabi Leoka, whose untruthful claim of a PhD from the London School of Economics was unearthed by vigilant media – a testament to digitization's power in facilitating fact-checking. Incidences like these underscore the need for robust governance and due diligence, beyond the traditional vetting of qualifications.


Social media has shrunk the world, further complicating the landscape with its ability to amplify issues across platforms rapidly. The recent legal tussle involving former president Jacob Zuma and News24's Karyn Maughan, which led to the court's upholding of media freedoms, illustrated the enduring battle against intimidation and censorship.


In an ironic twist, social media platforms – often criticized for propagating falsehoods – have also become instruments of accountability. Lies and fraudulent claims, once easily obscured, now face almost instant scrutiny and lasting implications for those caught in deceit.


However, the burden of filtering out misinformation from trustworthy content has grown more onerous for mainstream media, complicated by the sheer volume and virality of content on platforms like WhatsApp.


The landscape of journalism, now peppered with training on leveraging social media apps for investigative purposes – as witnessed at the African Investigative Journalism Conference – reflects the industry's adaptability and the necessity for continuous innovation.


South African journalism, while navigating these rough seas, is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the country's narrative – a narrative that must adhere unwaveringly to factuality amidst the swirling currents of misinformation and political strategizing.



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