The Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria, cordially invites you to a Stakeholder Engagement on the Information Ecosystem and Elections in South Africa. The engagement will unpack an assessment titled “Proactive Disclosure of Information and Elections in South Africa: National and Provincial Elections 2024.” This study evaluates the extent to which the rights to freedom of expression and access to information were realised during the 2024 elections, in line with the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (African Charter) and related regional instruments. The assessment builds on earlier studies of the 2019 and 2021 electoral cycles and contributes to the broader Leveraging Technology for Change initiative.
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Details of Events
Date: 28 October 2025
Venue: Holiday Inn, Rosebank, South Africa
Time: 09:00 (SAST)
Executive Summary
The Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria, has conducted a comprehensive assessment titled “Proactive Disclosure of Information and Elections in South Africa: National and Provincial Elections 2024.” This study evaluates the extent to which the rights to freedom of expression and access to information were realised during the 2024 elections, in line with the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (African Charter) and related regional instruments. The assessment builds on earlier studies of the 2019 and 2021 electoral cycles and contributes to the broader Leveraging Technology for Change initiative.
Access to information is a fundamental right enshrined in section 32 of the Constitution of South Africa and reinforced by regional and international instruments, including the African Charter and the Guidelines on Access to Information and Elections in Africa. In the context of elections, this right is essential for enabling informed participation, enhancing transparency, and ensuring accountability.
In May 2024, South Africa held its national and provincial elections amid heightened political competition, widespread use of digital platforms, and growing concerns around misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation. These dynamics underscore the importance of moving beyond access to information to a broader conversation on information integrity that is, the availability, accuracy, and trustworthiness of information in electoral contexts.
This engagement therefore seeks to reflect collectively on the state of South Africa’s information ecosystem (where progress has been made, where risks persist, and how we can work together to strengthen democratic resilience).
Background
This stakeholder engagement follows from the 2022 Symposium on Access to Information and Elections in South Africa, co-hosted by the Centre for Human Rights, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), the Information Regulator (IR), the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), and Media Monitoring Africa (MMA).
That symposium culminated in a Communiqué outlining commitments by the SAHRC, IEC, and IR to promote the implementation of the Guidelines on Access to Information and Elections in Africa and the recommendations of the 2020 South Africa Report. These commitments included forming a working group, enhancing proactive disclosure, supporting legislative reform, and integrating the Guidelines into institutional training and practice.
The 2024 assessment builds directly on these commitments and provides an updated analysis of progress made by these institutions, as well as the evolving dynamics of South Africa’s electoral information ecosystem. The 2025 stakeholder engagement, taking place on 28 October 2025 at the Holiday Inn, Rosebank, Johannesburg, is serving both as the official launch of the new assessment report and a follow-up platform to review progress against the commitments made in 2022.
To ensure broad participation and regional engagement, a follow-up election integrity workshop will also be held in Cape Town in November, focusing on practical actions to strengthen collaboration among stakeholders and apply the report’s recommendations in diverse contexts.
The event is bringing together a broader set of actors and is being co-hosted by the Information Regulator (IR), the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), and the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), with Media Monitoring Africa (MMA), Research ICT Africa (RIA), and the South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) participating as partners. Given the report’s alignment with ongoing digital integrity and governance initiatives, the discussions are focusing on strengthening collaboration and accountability across these key institutions and networks.
Objectives
- Share key findings of the Centre’s 2024 assessment on access to information and information integrity during South Africa’s national and provincial elections.
- Reflect on progress made by SAHRC, IEC, and IR in implementing the 2022 Communique commitments.
- Convene stakeholders from government, civil society, academia, media, technology platforms, independent institutions, and international partners to discuss the state of information ecosystems in electoral processes.
- Identify gaps in legislative, institutional, and digital governance frameworks that influence electoral transparency.
- Strengthen coordination through partnerships, including with the SM4P coalition and UNESCO ROSA.
- Explore actionable strategies for promoting information integrity and combating disinformation in future electoral cycles.
Expected Outcomes
- Renewed accountability on commitments made in the 2022 Communique.
- Increased awareness of the findings and recommendations of the 2024 report.
- Strengthened collaboration among state institutions, civil society, and technology stakeholders.
- Shared understanding of the concept of information integrityin the context of elections and digital transformation.
- Agreed roadmap for action and continued monitoring ahead of future electoral cycles.
Format and Approach
The engagement will be a one-day, in-person event designed to foster dialogue and collaboration among key stakeholders across South Africa’s information and electoral ecosystem. The programme is structured to balance knowledge sharing and forward-looking discussion.
The day will include the following segments:
Presentation of Key Findings
The Centre for Human Rights will present highlights from its 2024 Assessment on Proactive Disclosure of Information and Elections in South Africa, summarising key trends, challenges, and recommendations.
Panel Discussions with Institutional Representatives and Experts
A moderated discussion featuring partner institutions will unpack the implications of the report’s findings within broader governance, human rights and digital transformation frameworks.
Progress Updates by SAHRC, IEC, and IR
Each institution will provide a progress report on the commitments made in the 2022 Communiqué, focusing on milestones achieved, lessons learned, and areas requiring renewed attention.
Presentation on ACHPR Resolution 630 (2025):
A presentation on ACHPR/Res.630 (LXXXII) 2025, which mandates the development of Africa-centred guidelines to assist States in monitoring technology companies’ responsibilities to maintain information integrity, including the role of independent fact-checking and platform accountability
Interactive Breakout Sessions:
Participants will engage in facilitated discussions to explore collaborative solutions for strengthening information integrity and institutional coordination ahead of future elections.
Call to Action and Next Steps:
The day will conclude with the adoption of a shared Call to Action outlining follow-up steps and partner contributions to advance access to information and digital rights in South Africa’s democratic landscape.
For more information, please contact
Belinda Matore | Ivy Gikonyo
Expression, Information and Digital Rights Unit
Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria
br.matore@up.ac.za | ivy.gikonyo@up.ac.za
