General: More ‘education’ needed on political satire – IEC

The publishers and broadcasters of satirical material during the run-up to tomorrow’s general election would have served themselves and SA well had they indicated what ‘emanates’ from a political party and what does not, according to an Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) media statement released yesterday. Among other things, the IEC’s month-long digital disinformation initiative has revealed a widespread but mistaken perception that satire constitutes disinformation – pointing to the ‘continuing need for education’ on this issue given the genre’s ‘important role’ in political commentary, as well as the right to freedom of speech, notes Pam Saxby for Legalbrief Policy Watch. 

‘Journalists reporting on what politicians say is not disinformation’, the statement notes, also drawing attention to the ‘critical’ importance of press freedom in encouraging accountability and ‘keeping the electorate informed’. Where the ‘tone and content’ of messages from political parties and contestants is seen to be potentially offensive and likely to spark ‘undue political tension and rivalry’, the IEC addresses the matter with the parties concerned. Controversial news articles and opinion pieces on media websites are referred to the Press Council when ‘appropriate’.

In a separate statement, the IEC has appealed for ‘a reduction in political activities to allow space for voting to take place peacefully’. This is noting that the 1997 Electoral Act ‘specifically prohibits political meetings, marches, demonstrations or any other political event taking place on voting day’ – as well as ‘strikes and lockouts in the public transport and telecommunications sectors’. According to the statement, the IEC has ‘engaged’ with ‘security agencies including the South African Police Service (SAPS)’ to ‘ensure that no disruptions to the elections are tolerated’.

A press release issued on 2 May by the justice, crime prevention and security cluster expressed confidence that all necessary measures are in place to ‘create an environment for free and fair elections’ – prioritising ‘hot spots’ and dedicating five teams countrywide to ‘deal with high risk situations’ requiring an ‘urgent intervention’. While no ‘specialised courts’ have been established, a protocol agreed between the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, SAPS detectives and the National Prosecuting Authority is expected to ensure that all election-related cases are prioritised.

Follow Pam Saxby on Twitter (@SaxbyPam)