Real411 was created to give all citizens the power to report digital disinformation during the run up to the 2019 South African National and Provincial Elections. When individuals report to the Real411, they are reporting to the Electoral Commission’s (IEC) Directorate for Electoral Offences. The IEC will rule on acts of disinformation for appropriate action to be taken.
Following the success of the Real411 in the elections, Media Monitoring Africa and partners set up a system that would enable members of the public to report disinformation and ensure it was addressed in an open, transparent and accountable manner within our laws and constitutional principles.
Real411 found that during the lead up to the elections people weren't just wanting to report disinformation but also cases of incitement and hate speech. They added add those to the new version of Real411 in 2020.