South Africa warned of artificial promotion of issues ahead of local elections
Kyle Findley, co-founder of consulting company Murmur Intelligence, called on citizens at The Gathering event in Cape Town, South Africa, to recognize fake election messages ahead of local elections scheduled for November 4, 2026. According to him, political forces may spread narratives capable of influencing public discussions and trust in the electoral process.
As Daily Maverick reports, Findley spoke in Cape Town on September 11 about identifying fake election messages. He said that traditional media, which previously held power to account, are increasingly being bypassed through YouTube channels, podcasts, paid influencers and alternative information platforms that do not adhere to the South African Press Code.
Imported narratives
Findley noted that issues of migration, xenophobia, Islamophobia, LGBTQ+ rights, religion and the so-called “white genocide” are increasingly influencing discussions in South Africa. In his view, some of these topics are promoted by international political interests without regard for the local context.
He referred to Murmur Intelligence research on Islamophobic narratives. According to Findley, messages about Islam on Instagram and Facebook were predominantly positive, while on the social network X their tone shifted sharply toward negative. He linked this to the artificial boosting of engagement on social media, when certain topics and narratives are promoted for money.
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According to Findley’s assessment, in the “shadow economy of influence,” celebrities, brands, politicians and parties can pay to push issues into trends. Among such methods, he named taking statements out of context, editing interviews, mass distribution of uniform content and searching for groups that can be blamed for complex social problems.
Doubts about the IEC
Findley also said that free and fair elections in South Africa are being attacked through the media by spreading doubts about the reputation of the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). As an example, he cited the rhetoric of EFF mobilisers regarding claims of alleged vote manipulation, substitution of results and the closure of polling stations, which, according to such claims, led to voter suppression.
He separately mentioned narratives about the alleged admission of foreign citizens to vote, which, he said, were spread by Operation Dudula and ActionSA. Findley also said that MK supporters, according to his claims, infiltrated IEC logistics facilities, filmed ballots and posted videos on TikTok claiming that the ballots had allegedly been stolen or were already filled out.
At the end of his speech, Findley called on South Africans to “reclaim their agenda” and focus on their own problems, including water supply and economic growth.
