SANEF launches election reporting training for journalists

The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF), in collaboration with the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA), Africa Check, and Moxii Africa, is launching a nationwide training programme for journalists in preparation for the 2026 local government elections.

The training initiative will kick off in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, on March 10, and will subsequently expand to other provinces over the coming months.

This programme aims to equip journalists from community, regional, and national media with essential skills to navigate the complexities of the electoral landscape.

Focused on enhancing the capabilities of journalists throughout South Africa, the initiative seeks to promote accurate and responsible reporting in the public interest during this crucial democratic process.

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Each workshop will convene journalists, election officials, academics, and media experts to discuss key topics influencing the upcoming elections and the media’s role in safeguarding democracy.

The curriculum will encompass a diverse range of subjects vital to credible election reporting.

Notable topics will include an overview of the evolution of local government in South Africa, presented by SALGA, which will examine the development of the local government system, significant milestones in democratic governance, and critical challenges facing municipalities in the lead-up to the 2026 elections.

The IEC will inform journalists about the state of readiness for the elections, detailing the electoral system, key milestones leading to the polls, and the responsibilities of institutions involved in administering elections.

This session will also explore the participation of political parties and independent candidates, as well as the legal and regulatory framework surrounding the electoral process.

A key focus of the training will be the media’s role in election coverage, including journalists’ legal and ethical responsibilities.

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Sessions led by SANEF and its partners will investigate both international and domestic regulatory frameworks for election reporting, access to information, and practical strategies for employing data-driven reporting tools.

Given the escalating threat of digital information manipulation, the programme will emphasise combating misinformation and disinformation.

Experts from Moxii will provide journalists with practical skills to identify and respond to false narratives, disinformation campaigns, and online harassment, especially concerning women journalists and their influence on public discourse.

Additionally, specialists from Africa Check will conduct training on the importance of fact-checking, illustrating how journalists can verify public claims, debunk misleading assertions, and ensure voters receive accurate and reliable information during the election period.

Chief electoral officer Sy Mamabolo underscored the training’s importance for strengthening the integrity of South Africa’s electoral process.

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“By equipping journalists with a deeper understanding of electoral procedures and the tools to identify misinformation, disinformation, and deepfakes, the programme supports accurate and responsible reporting during elections.

“It also helps mitigate risks faced by journalists covering highly contested environments while ensuring that the public receives credible and verified information,” Mamabolo stated.

SANEF indicated that this collaboration signifies a collective commitment among media, electoral institutions, and governance partners to protect the integrity of South Africa’s democratic processes.

“Elections are moments when the public relies heavily on journalists for credible information. Through this partnership, we aim to strengthen the ability of journalists to report with depth, accuracy, and independence while confronting the growing threats of misinformation and disinformation that can mislead voters,” said SANEF executive director Reggy Moalusi.

The training programme will prioritise engagement from the community and local media journalists, acknowledging their vital role in informing citizens at the grassroots level.

By uniting electoral authorities, governance experts, fact-checking organisations, and media practitioners, this initiative aims to ensure that journalists are adequately prepared to cover the elections in a manner that upholds transparency, accountability, and informed voter participation.

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Sithole Mbanga, CEO of SALGA, stated that their involvement stems from their constitutional mandate to represent and strengthen local government.

Mbanga said by offering expertise on municipal systems and the historical development of local governance since 1994, SALGA seeks to enhance public understanding of local government operations and highlight its evolution and impact on daily life.

“This partnership amplifies SALGA’s ongoing efforts to promote responsible, evidence-based election reporting and to improve the narrative regarding local government service delivery and governance issues,” Mbanga said.

Shoeshoe Qhu, CEO of MDDA, expressed enthusiasm for this partnership as a significant step in bolstering credible and responsible election coverage.

“Community media remains the core conduit through which information reaches communities, particularly during local government elections, where local issues and participation are central.

“We aim to strengthen the capacity of media practitioners to provide accurate, credible, and community-centred reporting that supports informed democratic participation,” Qhu stated.