Report warns of xenophobic rhetoric for political gain
Narratives that conflate xenophobic sentiments with patriotism on social media could be used by political parties ahead of next year’s elections as a tool to win support. Read full story here.
Media
Data & Analytics on South Africa’s #NationalShutDown
In this episode of iAfrikan BYTES, we’re joined by Molebogeng Mokoka and Euston Witbooi from The Centre for Analytics and Behavioral Change to share insights and data on the National Shutdown Deep Dive Report and more. To listen to the podcast click here.
Study blows lid on xenophobic Twitter network run by ‘uLerato Pillay’
Over a decade after the first wave of widespread xenophobic attacks happened in South Africa, the country is still fraught with xenophobic sentiment and tension teetering on the verge of exploding at any given moment. Sadly, a small network of faceless individuals have used this to capitalise on Twitter reactions, a new study has revealed. …
Study blows lid on xenophobic Twitter network run by ‘uLerato Pillay’ Read More »
Social media ‘guns for hire’ – Xenophobic rhetoric intended to manipulate SA
It appears, according to a report, that social media discussions on xenophobia are being manipulated, and that around 80 dormant accounts sprung to life around 27 April Read full article
Social media may deepen understanding of GBV: report
New report on GBV and social media looks at how AKA’s death was treated on Twitter. To read the full article click here.
OPINIONISTA: We need leaders who can help us find our way through the noise and despair and inspire hope
We limped out of the pandemic, shell-shocked and bamboozled, into a world that is overwhelming us with the ferocious velocity and volume of change that unfolds with every minute and hour of the present. We can be forgiven for getting lost in the noise of it all. Read full article
ANALYSIS: Are we seeing the rise of the right in SA?
Camaren Peter argues we are seeing an emergence of both left- and right-wing populism in the South African political spectrum, with both the governing party and the opposition pandering to political narratives and superficial conspiracism that would until recently have been relegated to the dustbin of ideas. Read full article
Report highlights prominence of xenophobia
The report mainly focuses on social media and the role it plays in xenophobic attacks. A recent report released by the Centre of Analytics and Behavioural Change has highlighted how prominent xenophobia has been on social media. Read full article
New report unpacks the online xenophobia conversation targeting foreigners
Research has found that the online anti-foreigner conversation continues to flourish, with proponents citing a number of South Africa’s socio-economic challenges, including unemployment, crime and service delivery, as reasons why foreign nationals should leave. Read full article
More than 80% of online posts show negative sentiment for foreigners
The consensus in the online conversation remains that foreigners are one of, if not the main reason, South Africa is in the state it is currently in. Read full article
by