The Campaign for Free Expression (CFE) is proud to be part of the Social Media 4 Peace (SM4P) project, now launched in South Africa. This global initiative—led by UNESCO and funded by the European Union—brings together civil society organisations to respond to the powerful role of digital platforms in shaping how information is created, shared, and consumed.

In South Africa, the coalition includes leading voices such as the South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF), the Press Council, Media Monitoring Africa (MMA), the Human Rights Commission, the Campaign for Digital Ethics and the University of Pretoria’s Centre for Human Rights. Together, we aim to ensure that online spaces support democracy rather than undermine it.

Launched in 2021, SM4P has already made an impact in pilot countries including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Colombia, Indonesia, and Kenya. The project has generated 10 research reports, developed 28 policy and ICT tools, run media campaigns reaching more than 25 million people, and trained thousands of young people and civil society leaders worldwide.

South Africa now joins this effort at a critical moment. The digital sphere—whether regulated or left unchecked—will profoundly affect the stability and integrity of our democracy. Civil society, with its deep commitment to human rights, is stepping forward to influence both the policies of global tech companies and the responses of government.

The challenge is urgent: we must find a fair balance between the power of the state, the influence of digital platforms, and the rights of the public. Issues such as freedom of expression, content moderation, hate speech, and disinformation demand solutions that protect both democracy and human dignity.