MANUFACTURED OUTRAGE OP-ED: How disinformation networks amplify online xenophobia in SA
A new report reveals how disinformation networks use bots and fake consensus to turn South Africa’s real social frustrations into coordinated anti-foreigner outrage.
A recent report highlights the role of disinformation networks in manipulating South Africa's social tensions, particularly through anti-foreigner narratives. Using social media research, Tales of Turning, a local organization, found that 27% of the anti-foreign-national narratives found in social media were linked to a network of disruptor and bot accounts.
These campaigns exploit divide-and-rule strategies to create fear and hostility between groups, turning complex issues into a single explanation of foreign nationals as the root cause. The report warns that seemingly legitimate messages, such as calls for law enforcement and sovereignty enforcement, can be used to spread hostile messages while evading content moderation.
Additionally, emotionally charged videos and posts with urgent language and dramatic imagery can prompt immediate reactions before users verify the source or accuracy of the content. While South Africans have legitimate concerns about unemployment, crime, housing shortages, and public services, redirecting these issues towards a specific group can exacerbate tensions.
The organization advises the public to pause before sharing angry posts, question the presented evidence, and consider who benefits from the spread of such content.
Written by urgent.news from Daily Maverick's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
