<\/p>\n
UNESCO launched a study on the Governance of Online Harmful Content and Freedom of Expression in SA in Johannesburg.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
UNESCO Regional Office for Southern Africa Communications and Information Advisor Al Amin Yusuph said online harm reflected existing social and economic divisions rather than being created solely by technology. \u201cOnline harms in SA are rooted in existing social and political inequalities,\u201d Yusuph said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cDigital platforms alter the scale, speed and reach.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Yusuph said platform design, algorithms and revenue models could amplify harmful material and determine which content received greater visibility. \u201cThe digital platforms amplify online harms because of their monetisation, their algorithms and the design in general,\u201d Yusuph said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
SA has legislation covering cybercrime, harassment, privacy and freedom of expression. However, fragmented and overlapping institutional mandates weaken implementation. \u201cThe laws are there, but the challenge is mainly the fragmentation and overlapping of mandates when it comes to governance of online harms,\u201d Yusuph said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
UNESCO recommended stronger coordination among government institutions, technology companies, civil society organisations and other stakeholders.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Yusuph said hate speech and disinformation were widespread as internet penetration in SA stood between 70% and 75%.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Migrants, women and young people were among the communities facing heightened risks, including cyberbullying, online harassment and other forms of abuse.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Efforts to address harmful content must remain consistent with SA\u2019s Constitution and international human rights law. \u201cFreedom of expression is not absolute,\u201d Yusuph said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Restrictions should have a legal basis, serve a legitimate purpose and remain necessary and proportionate. Sanctions should not be excessively punitive.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Technology companies should provide moderators able to work in local languages and disclose more information about how algorithms recommend or remove content. \u201cWe need to hold platforms accountable by ensuring that tech companies have local-language moderators and transparent algorithms,\u201d Yusuph said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Citizens also require stronger media and information literacy to recognise disinformation, assess sources and critically evaluate online material. \u201cCitizens need to be aware of disinformation and misinformation, but they also have to be able to analyse the content they consume,\u201d Yusuph said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The report also called for stronger government oversight, accessible remedies for people harmed online and responses targeting genuine harm without imposing unjustified restrictions on lawful speech.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
–UN\/ChannelAfrica–<\/p>\n
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