For Facts' Sake

For Facts' Sake

By Centre for Information Integrity in AfricaNewsNews CommentaryTech News
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For Facts' Sake episodes

  • S2 Ep7: When the media SLAPPs back
    Across the world, and in South Africa, the anti-journalism tool SLAPP (Strategic
    Lawsuit Against Public Participation) is also being used against activists and artists.

    Despite new forms of SLAPP – prior restraints, protection orders and even super injunctions – the media keeps fighting back. And they keep winning.

    We speak to Kuhle Mavuso, a senior associate at South African law firm Webber Wentzel about the use of litigation to silence critical voices.
    35 min
  • S2 Ep6: How to use social media for the greater good
    Social media platforms are often cesspits of racism, misogyny, ultra-nationalism, xenophobia, fascism and all sorts of other extremisms. But sometimes tech savvy users subvert them for greater good.

    In this episode we look at two such examples from the Global South: the recent cockroach uprising in India and a hackathon in response to the rising xenophobia in South Africa.

    Host: 
    Charles Leonard
     
    Guests: 
    1. Joyojeet Pal
    2. Yossabel Chetty
     
    Producer:
    Charles Leonard
    1 hr
  • S2 Ep5: Rebooting the Xenophobic Hate Machine
    South Africa is experiencing a resurgence of xenophobic violence. In this episode we discuss how a coordinated, sophisticated online campaign, built over more than six years, has helped fuel anti-immigrant sentiment and become a driving force behind the current wave of attacks.

    Guests: 
    1. Nosipho Mngomezulu - University of the Witwatersrand
    2. Noor Nieftagodien - University of the Witwatersrand
    3. Kyle Findlay - Murmur Intelligence

    Host: Tebadi Mmotla
    Producer: Charles Leonard
    28 min
  • S2 Ep4: Election ’26 – Disinformation on steroids
    As South Africa prepares for the November 4 local elections, the country faces a digital storm of misinformation and disinformation spreading online. In this episode, featuring CINIA Communications Practitioner Janet Heard, we look at how you need to get yourself a very sophisticated BS detector.

    Stay up to date through CINIA's Elections Observatory: https://cinia.africa/publications/elections-observatory/

    Host: Tebadi Mmotla
    Producer: Charles Leonard
    31 min
  • S2 Ep3: AI in SA newsrooms – The Good, the Bad and the Wobbly
    South African journalists are enthusiastically using AI tools in their work. A
    groundbreaking new CINIA report has revealed that while AI is offering significant efficiencies in newsrooms, it also raises urgent concerns about training, ethics and trust.

    In this episode we delve into why adoption remains uneven and largely informal, and also ask if AI in newsrooms is just a generational issue.

    Explore the topic in more detail: https://cinia.africa/new-study-finds-south-african-newsrooms-rapidly-adopting-ai-but-without-adequate-training-policy-or-local-tools/

    Host & Producer: Charles Leonard.
    Guests: Nande Mbekela; Cat White; Sipho Kings.
    55 min
  • S2 Ep2: Google gives to SA Media. But was Meta let off the hook?
    As powerful digital platforms like Google and social media behemoths eat traditional media’s advertising lunch, South Africa’s Competition Commission has made a landmark ruling to try and undo this trend. Still, some platforms may get away with coughing up only small change.

    We speak to Michael Markovitz, adjunct faculty member of the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) and head of the GIBS Media Leadership Think Tank, about the recent ruling.

    For Facts' Sake is hosted by Tebadi Mmotla and produced by Charles Leonard on behalf of the Centre for Information Integrity in Africa (CINIA).
    25 min
  • S2 Ep1: Internet shutdowns taking democracy to the precipice
    Digital authoritarianism is on the rise, including in Africa. Many governments now shut down the internet during elections, claiming concerns about the spread of misinformation.

    But what do these blackouts really reveal about threats to democracy? We speak to CINIA Senior Researcher Karen Allen to find out more.

    For Facts' Sake is hosted by Tebadi Mmotla and produced by Charles Leonard on behalf of the Centre for Information Integrity in Africa (CINIA).

    Read the full transcript via:
    https://cinia.africa/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/FFS-S2-Ep1-Script.docx
    33 min
  • For Facts' Sake Ep 5: The New Censorship That’s Devouring the Global Media
    Used by rightwing populists like Trump, Modi, Farage, Milei and Orbán, the
    new censorship that was invented by Nethanyahu, is turning journalists’ lives upside down.

    We speak to Ayala Panievsky, the author of a groundbreaking new book, who explains how it works.

    Read the full episode transcript via: https://cinia.africa/for-facts-sake-ep-5-the-new-censorship-thats-devouring-the-global-media/
    52 min
  • For Facts' Sake Ep 4: Scam Inc: How fraudsters turned the Internet into the Wild West
    Scammers skilfully craft lies to deceive online users. This practice is known as
    delusive speech. In this episode, we dive deeply into this dark side of the online
    economy: From fake booking links to romance scams, and tips of how to avoid
    getting trapped.

    Host: Tebadi Mmotla

    Guests: Julie Reid and Carina van Wyk

    Credits: Produced by Charles Leonard

    Read the full episode transcript via: https://cinia.africa/podcast-scripts/
    53 min
  • For Facts’ Sake Ep3: Misinformation, news and genocide denial
    Coverage of Gaza has been a massive challenge for the media in a time of disinformation and genocide denial. We focus on what journalists can do about it and what happens when legacy media gets it wrong.

    For Facts' Sake is hosted by Tebadi Mmotla and produced by Charles Leonard on behalf of the Centre for Information Integrity in Africa (CINIA) at Stellenbosch University.
    44 min

About For Facts' Sake

From the publisher's feed

Welcome to "For Facts' Sake," a podcast for navigating the complex world of disinformation, social media influence campaigns, information integrity, journalism and the media. Join us as we delve into the latest events and issues shaping the information landscape, providing insights and analyses to help you stay informed and discerning in an era where the truth is often obscured.