Head of Programmes at Media Monitoring Africa @mediamattersza - media, media freedom, digital rights, internet governance and freedom of expression

Johannesburg
Joined April 2009
Thandi Smith retweeted
Today at 17:00 — Understanding Real411: how the platform works, from your report to three independent reviewers to a signed-off outcome. Join the live session. Register: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi… #LGE2026 #Real411 #SeeSomethingDoSomething
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Thandi Smith retweeted
Our communities deserve accurate information, with the 2026 Local Government Elections on the way, every report helps keep our online spaces honest . 🗳️ That's where Real411 comes in. If you spot disinformation, hate speech, incitement, or violence online, you can report it and know it will be assessed openly and fairly. Submit your complaints today : real411.org.za #LGE2026 #elections
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📌MEDIA RELEASE Free and fair elections depend not only on sound electoral processes, but also on access to credible information. In recognition of this, the IEC promulgated the Electoral Code of Conduct Countering Disinformation the LGE. Read: bit.ly/46cRHZf #IEC
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Thandi Smith retweeted
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Thandi Smith retweeted
Tomorrow at the Constitutional Hill, during the Human Rights Festival, a powerful new partnership will be launching. Protecting elections. Defending information integrity. Moxii Africa, Africa Check, and SANEF are launching the Partnership on Information Integrity in Elections (PIIE) — a coalition committed to safeguarding South Africa’s democracy. Following a surge in digital threats during the 2024 elections, PIIE brings organisations together to ensure voters are informed, not misled — especially as we approach the 2026 Local Government Elections. Why join? -Strengthen information integrity - Amplify impact through collaboration - Reduce duplication and improve coordination - Contribute to protecting democracy Time ⏲️: 14:30 – 16:00 (90 Minutes) Location 📍: Human Rights Festival – Con Hill
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Thandi Smith retweeted
Engaging discussions on harmful online content & identifying & combatting it at today’s Social Media 4 Peace (SM4P) workshop in Johannesburg.
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Is there a live stream link? @SABCNews @Newzroom405 @eNCA
[MEDIA ADVISORY] TThe High Court to hand down judgment in Operation Dudula matter Today, the High Court will hand down judgment in a matter that challenges the xenophobic & racist speech & conduct of Operation Dudula & certain of its office-bearers. | tinyurl.com/459kd7dc
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RT @MediaMattersZA: INTODUCING : Safeguarding the Frontlines - A digital security toolkit for activists and human rights defenders🗞️ Publi…
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Striving for Open and Trusted Information. @MediaMattersZA, now Moxii Africa. Read more about our bold new brand: moxiiafrica.org
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Joburg! See you tonight, People’s Theatre at Joburg Theatre, 5.30pm for 6pm. I’m speaking on the future of media in South Africa. RSVP here shorturl.at/49ySF
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A Media Freedom Festival first! Reporters Slam - looking forward to a fantastic evening
MEDIA FREEDOM FESTIVAL DAY 2: REPORTERS SLAM✊ For the first time ever, Reporters Slam is coming to South Africa! Time🕑: 18:00pm In collaboration with the Konrad-Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) @KasMedia this competition aims to provide journalists with a platform to bring their story to life in a fresh, powerful way: a 7-minute live performance where they reveal the story behind their reporting. Come Join us TODAY at the People’s Theatre at the Joburg Theatre, 163 Civic Blvd, Braamfontein, Johannesburg. JOIN THE LIVE : ow.ly/890r50XbJig
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Tomorrow it's all coming together at the Media Freedom Festival🎙️🗞️ A powerful lineup of speakers will open the Media Freedom Festival 2025, setting the stage for meaningful dialogues under the theme: Resilient Media For A Resilient Democracy: Navigating the Future of Information!! Don’t miss the conversations that matter — RSVP now : ow.ly/Rqif50X5shI
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Thandi Smith retweeted
Day 1 of the Media Freedom Festival 2025 : 📅 14 October | 12:00 PM 📍 Peoples Theatre, Cnr Hoofd Street, Johannesburg, GP, 2001 Unpacking the G20 – What’s Really at Stake, and Why Should You Care? It’s been the year of the G20 in South Africa with governments, civil society, and businesses all gearing up for the summit in November. Media issues remain off the formal G20 agenda. With the US stepping back from the table, the spotlight is on the Global South to ask tough questions: - What does the G20 truly mean for us? - Does it address the realities we face in the Global South? - And how can we push for media freedom, digital rights, and information integrity to take center stage? RSVP TODAY: ow.ly/GNFF50X6YGb #MFF25
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Thandi Smith retweeted
🗞️✨ Media Freedom Festival 2025 is here! Resilient Media For A Resilient Democracy: Navigating the Future of Information 📍 Johannesburg | The People's Theatre 📅 Oct 14–16 🎤 Panels, performances & powerful conversations. 🔗 RSVP HERE: ow.ly/Rqif50X5shI #MediaFreedom25 #MFF2025
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Thandi Smith retweeted
Day 1 of the Media Freedom Festival 2025 : Afternoon sessions🗞️ 📅15 October | 14:00 PM |📍 Peoples Theatre, Cnr Hoofd Street, Johannesburg, GP, 2001 Workshop: From Myth to Hate Busting – Practical Lessons in Combating Hate Speech Online In today’s highly connected world, hate speech continues to spread rapidly, disproportionately affecting young people and marginalized communities. This workshop, “Empowering Youth: Critical Media Literacy to Combat Hate Speech,” is an essential step in addressing both online and offline hate. The session will equip the youth organizations with fostering resilience and critical media literacy, this workshop strengthens the collective fight against hate and promotes safer, more inclusive spaces for all. RSVP: ow.ly/sqZx50X7Gou
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Thandi Smith retweeted
Last session for #MFF25 Day 1!!🗞️ 📅 15 October | 18:00 PM |📍 Peoples Theatre, Cnr Hoofd Street, Johannesburg, GP, 2001 Session: Exploring the Legal Boundaries of Freedom of Expression – Rate the Hate Challenge. This session takes a critical look at the legal dimensions of freedom of expression. Through the ‘Rate the Hate’ challenge, participants will engage with the moral and legal dilemmas surrounding free speech, sparking thoughtful discussion on how to balance rights with responsibility. Read more: ow.ly/tGQs50X7GA6
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I’m giving the keynote at the Media Freedom Festival this week. Attend the festival and see the program here shorturl.at/ULpf1
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Participants then explored strategies for combating hate speech, genocidal ideologies, misinformation & disinformation, guided by @ThandiSmith of Media Monitoring Africa (#MMA). The session stressed the dangers of harmful narratives and the role of youth in countering them. Later, a session on using #media and #AI in advancing #TJ & Peacebuilding, led by @DavidKabwa, showed how digital tools can drive awareness, amplify youth voices and strengthen peace efforts across Africa. #AU4Peace #Youth4Peace #AUTJP #YouthLeadership #Reconciliation
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M20 POLICY BRIEF | Power, Politics, and Economics - AI, Africa & the G20 This piece offers recommendations to @G20SouthAfrica regarding the capacitation & recognition of media as AI governance watchdogs. Read the brief here bit.ly/3IIYfpS @MediaMattersZA
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Thandi Smith retweeted
LIVE NOW : Summit on Disinformation and its Impact on Human Rights 📆 Thandi Smith MMA’s Head of programmes is presenting with Tina Power from @altadvisory on human rights and disinformation at @SAHRCommission . This two day program brings together national and international partners, including human rights institutions from across Africa and beyond, to reflect on the growing threat posed by disinformation to constitutional rights, democratic participation, access to services and social cohesion. #Disinformation #HumanRights
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