UNESCO, through its European Union-funded Social Media 4 Peace (SM4P) project, in partnership with Research ICT Africa, the Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria, the UNESCO Information for All Programme (IFAP) Committee, the UNESCO National Commission for South Africa (NATCOM), and the Social Media 4 Peace South Africa (SM4PSA) Coalition, hosted the National Research Report Launch of the Governance of Online Harmful Content and Freedom of Expression in South Africa study on 17 September 2026 at the Protea Hotel by Marriott Johannesburg Balalaika Sandton.
The study examines South Africa’s digital information environment and the governance frameworks available to address harmful online content while protecting freedom of expression. It brings together legal and regulatory analysis, social media monitoring and stakeholder perspectives to assess the effectiveness and limitations of existing approaches to online harms. The research forms part of UNESCO’s broader SM4P work in South Africa, which seeks to strengthen societal resilience to harmful online content while promoting freedom of expression and access to information. UNESCO has described the South African SM4P Coalition as a multi-stakeholder platform bringing together organisations working across media accountability, regulatory oversight, digital platform governance, human rights and academic research.
The launch brought together three complementary engagements under a single integrated programme: the launch of the National Study; the South African commemoration of the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI); and the Artificial Intelligence for Information Accessibility (AI4IA) Satellite Event, South Africa 2026. Under the overarching theme, “Upholding Information Integrity in the Digital Age: The Role of Access to Information in Addressing Information Disorder”, the forum brought together government, regulatory institutions, civil society, academia, media, technology stakeholders and international partners to examine the governance of online harms, access to information and the changing digital information environment.
The discussions reflected a central challenge identified through the research: South Africa has a substantial body of laws, regulatory mechanisms and institutions relevant to online harms, but the overall governance environment remains fragmented. The challenge therefore extends beyond whether legal remedies exist on paper to questions of coordination, institutional capacity, platform accountability, enforcement and whether affected individuals can obtain effective remedies in practice.
The key note address was given by Hon. Solly Malatsi, Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies. His address emphasised government's commitment to addressing online harms while maintaining constitutional protections for freedom of expression. Prof. Kola Ijasan, Research Director at Research ICT Africa, introduced the research project and outlined the programme for the day. The first session presented the key findings of the national study on the governance of online harmful content and freedom of expression in South Africa. The research examines South Africa's digital information ecosystem through legal and regulatory analysis, social media monitoring and stakeholder engagement. It considers the country's existing legal and institutional framework, platform governance mechanisms and the practical experiences of stakeholders dealing with harmful online content.
The first session was moderated by Leslie Dwolatzky of Research ICT Africa, with discussants Tshepiso Hadebe of Research ICT Africa, Kyle Janse of the Centre for Analytics and Behavioural Change (CABC) and Tinotenda Lisa Bangajena of Moxii Africa. The discussion considered how online harms interact with South Africa's broader social and political environment. Harmful content can reflect existing social tensions while the speed, scale and reach of digital platforms can amplify its effects.
A multi-stakeholder panel discussion on the report's recommendations followed, moderated by Dr Eileen Carter of the South African Human Rights Commission. Panellists included Ms Nomzamo Zondi of the Information Regulator, Mr Oupa Makhalemele of the Film and Publication Board, Sipho Mthombeni of Google, Boitumelo Zwane of the Commission for Gender Equality and Mpho Makhubela of Lawyers for Human Rights. The panel discussion considered the relationship between South Africa's existing legal framework and the practical realities of enforcement. A range of laws and institutions have mandates relevant to online harms, including legislation addressing harassment, domestic violence, cybercrime, hate speech, equality and discrimination, as well as constitutional protections for human rights.
Participants nevertheless highlighted difficulties arising from fragmented institutional responsibilities and limited coordination between relevant actors. Victims may encounter multiple reporting and referral points, while law-enforcement officials and other frontline institutions may face challenges in dealing with digital evidence and technology-facilitated abuse.
Vimbai Mataruse, Project Officer at UNESCO, introduced the second session by framing access to information as fundamental to human rights, public participation and accountable institutions. She highlighted UNESCO's role as custodian agency for SDG Indicator 16.10.2, concerning public access to information and fundamental freedoms. The discussion emphasised that universal access to information involves more than physical connectivity. People must also be able to access, understand, assess and use reliable information. The session therefore connected access to information with the broader question of information integrity. Where individuals cannot obtain reliable information, or where false and misleading claims circulate without adequate contextual information, the ability of communities to participate meaningfully in public life can be affected.
Phathiswa Magopeni, Chairperson of the SM4PSA Coalition and Executive Director of the South African Press Council, delivered the keynote address, “No to Hate-Information Integrity, Xenophobia and the Protection of Human Rights”. Her address considered the relationship between information disorder, migration and xenophobia in South Africa. She highlighted concerns around claims concerning purported “deadlines” for migrant deportations, including 30 June and 30 September, which she stated had no basis in statute or court order. She discussed the consequences of such claims and called on media organisations to verify information, provide appropriate legal context, avoid dehumanising language and communicate the human consequences of migration policy.
Magopeni also announced that the Network of Independent Media Councils in Africa had resolved to develop a context-sensitive framework for reporting on migration and hate in Africa.
A panel discussion moderated by Lister Rikhotso of Moxii Africa explored the role of access to information in addressing information disorder. Panellists included Nicole Fritz of Campaign for Free Expression, Lister Rikhotso of Moxii Africa, the Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa, Thabang Phala of CyberM8, Adv. Zanele Mofokeng of the Information Regulator, Kavisha Pillay of CODE and Ms Emma Sadleir of The Digital Law Company. The discussion examined the relationship between information access, platform governance, misinformation and the ability of institutions and communities to respond to harmful online content.
The third engagement focused on artificial intelligence and information accessibility. The AI4IA Conference 2026, convened by the UNESCO Information for All Programme (IFAP) Committee, commenced with a keynote address by Prof. Marlene Holmner, Head of the Department of Information Science at the University of Pretoria, on “Artificial Intelligence, Information Accessibility and Human Rights”. The keynote considered the relationship between AI, access to information and human rights, highlighting the need to ensure that emerging technologies contribute to inclusive access rather than reinforcing existing inequalities. A panel discussion on “Information for All in the Age of AI: Access, Agency and Accountability” featured Dr Brenda van Wyk of the University of Pretoria, Dr Hossein Masoumi Karakani of the University of Pretoria and Dr Paige Benton of the University of Johannesburg. The discussion identified three broad priorities for inclusive and human-centred AI. First, AI literacy should extend beyond technical skills to include critical judgement, the ability to assess AI-generated information and awareness of bias.
Second, inclusion should move towards meaningful participation. Communities that are often marginalised by technological development should have opportunities to contribute to the design of systems intended to serve them, particularly where systems are deployed in local contexts. Third, ethical principles must be accompanied by mechanisms for accountability. The discussion placed particular emphasis on the responsibilities of actors that design, develop, control and profit from AI systems. The session connected these questions to the broader information-integrity agenda, recognising that the increasing use of AI creates both opportunities for access and new challenges concerning reliability, accountability and participation.
In closing the programme, William Bird of the SM4P Coalition South Africa and Moxii Africa summarised the key takeaways and next steps.
Recommended Actions
The forum identified the following areas for further action:
- Establish a clear national coordination point for online-harm complaints, referrals and victim support.
- Strengthen institutional capacity by training police, regulators, educators and frontline service providers to recognise and respond to digital evidence and technology-facilitated abuse.
- Promote safety by design by encouraging platforms to integrate measures that identify and mitigate foreseeable risks, provide accessible local reporting channels, communicate decisions transparently and provide meaningful mechanisms for accountability.
- Expand media, digital and AI literacy through multilingual and disability-inclusive programmes in schools and communities.
- Develop funded implementation plans with clear institutional responsibilities, measurable deadlines and mechanisms for regular public reporting.
- Strengthen African and international cooperation on cross-border harms, platform oversight and ethical media practice.
- Meaningfully involve young people and marginalised communities in the design and governance of digital and AI systems that affect them.
These actions reflect the broader direction of the forum: strengthening existing mechanisms while addressing the coordination, capacity and accountability gaps that limit their effectiveness.
