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Phumzile Van Damme Profile picture
@zilevandamme
Sep 25, 2020 • 6 tweets • 2 min read • Read on X
I have just shared a number of articles about how online disinformation and hate speech is handled in some of the best democracies around the world. I have read extensively about the subject & given it serious thought over the last year or so.
For those of you who were alarmed that the DA would somehow support the curtailing of freedom of speech is not something grounded in fact nor in the DA's record of protection of free speech. Like I said, we are "considering options" and made it clear WHILE PROTECTING FREE SPEECH
An opportunity has now presented itself in the requirement that Parliament tighten the definition of hate speech. Hate Speech is wrong, there cannot be debate there. HOW it is defined is important. It must be clearly categorised and what is free speech similarly made clear.
We live in a digital world, hate speech is now online. To prevent the abuse of hate speech legislation, it is important that online hate speech is tightly defined. There is now way we'd support curtailment of free speech online. We have fought this repeatedly in Parliament.
Glynis Breytenbach (one of the best legal minds in SA) & I will be carefully considering options. We will be consulting widely. So please, rest assured. We have fought against curtailment of free speech online & otherwise. But that must be separated from hate speech.
I hope I have made it clear & your fears are allayed? Shoot if you have any questions or suggestions. Again, this refers to conduct in the online space & keen to "hear" your opinions. Please let's be constructive and meaningful in this discussion. A tall ask on here, but y'know

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More from @zilevandamme

Phumzile Van Damme Profile picture
Aug 4
Part 2: The Digital Xenophobia Movement and Foreign Influence Operations (FIO)

An EXTREMELY long thread. 🧵🪡
1. At the get, I must make this clear. There are people with legitimate concerns about illegal immigration. That is not the issue of contention here. The issue is with those who use those legitimate concerns to polarize, destabilize SA, spread hate speech & incite violence
2. That is my quibble: hate speech & incitement of violence – illegal conduct in the common law. And in a country founded on the protection of human rights for all within its borders, including immigrants, legal or not, it is abhorrent & must be condemned. Many have.
Read 33 tweets
Phumzile Van Damme Profile picture
Aug 1
The Genesis of Xenophobia Social Media Influence Operation and its impact, a thread. The why, who, and how.🧵🪡

This will be an extremely long thread that might upset some parties and “movements.” I'm generally unphased by Twitter mob attacks. Go for it. The truth is the truth.
1. On an occasion such as this, we should, perhaps, start from the beginning. So, let me begin. I am an African, as Mbeki once said. The serious point of what has become "digital xenophobia," is that it is mostly against African foreign nationals. It is so saddening.
2. I could discuss the psychology behind this, but that’s opinion. I’m here for cold, hard facts—data and numbers. Before diving into the evidence, let me explain how the data around "digital xenophobia" is collected and analyzed - through SMA (Social Media Analytics)
Read 34 tweets
Phumzile Van Damme Profile picture
Jul 27
I asked ChatGPT to describe your favorite politicians, except make it funny. The point was to see whether it could still “roast,” a prompt removed early on. Herewith, ChatGPT roasting your faves, but still nice.

A thread of kind (ish) roasts. 🪡🧵
1. Steenhuisen:

John Steenhuisen is like the perennial high school class president who just never left the student council. Picture this: a guy with the energy of a motivational speaker, the charisma of your overly enthusiastic uncle at a family reunion, and a passion for politics that makes him the designated driver of the Democratic Alliance (DA) in South Africa. He's the guy who probably color-codes his socks and has a detailed five-year plan for his houseplants. When he's not busy rallying for the DA, you can imagine him practicing his speeches in front of a mirror, with a fervor that could put a Shakespearean actor to shame. In the world of South African politics, John Steenhuisen is the organized, slightly nerdy hero we didn't know we needed, but definitely got.
2. Malema:

Julius Malema is like the rockstar of South African politics, complete with the charisma, controversy, and unpredictability of a headline act. Imagine a politician who wields his red beret like a magician's hat, pulling out fiery speeches and bold declarations with the flair of a stage performer. He's got the energy of a political dynamo and the audacity to match—kind of like if Che Guevara and Kanye West had a love child who decided to lead a revolution. Whether he's calling for radical change or stirring up a media storm, Julius is the master of keeping everyone on their toes. In the theater of South African politics, he's the lead actor in a drama that’s always one tweet away from trending.
Read 16 tweets
Phumzile Van Damme Profile picture
Jul 24
I’m on a road trip and I’m trying not to fall asleep. I’m obvs a passenger.

Time for a ridiculously long thread again. This time we’re talking definitions of social media manipulation tactics often use by parties, companies, foreign influence ops etc.

A 🧵🪡
1. As a start, this is a constantly evolving field, and the terminology changes because tactics change. Sometimes, there isn’t agreement on definitions. For example, fun fact: there is no real agreement in academia on what AI is and should be. But we move.
2. Disinformation: false information that is deliberately created or disseminated with the express purpose to cause harm. Producers of disinformation typically have political, financial, psychological or social motivations.
Read 17 tweets
Phumzile Van Damme Profile picture
Jun 23
Let me let you into a secret. I probably shouldn’t because it’ll result in them toning this behaviour down. But, I think the abject lack of self-awareness will not make this happen for some. I’m throwing caution into the wind. Also, nice people don’t gatekeep.

You can tell a lot about the DA is thinking from various accounts. It is 99.9% correct. Also, I suppose I can discern this because I know all these people and their psychology very well.

- Gareth van Onselen is its inclination to assume everyone is stupid. That confidence as competence. That mediocre. That insecure. He gives a lot of insight into where that aspect of its personality is at - the petulant toddler
- Ryan Coetzee is cool, rational and EQ. Measured, smart, cautious, strategic. He’s the adult. He makes the most sense. He is not irksome.
- Leon Schreiber is John’s mind and the latest DA spin on the newest topic on which it has shot its foot.
- John is smart enough not to run his account. Listen to his interviews
- Helen’s actions are so predictable. She's a combination of the other three.
Exhibit A. The ANC is stupid. Image
Exhibit B. Cool, calm, no gloating. Image
Read 6 tweets
Phumzile Van Damme Profile picture
Jun 22
The coalition agreement between the DA, ANC, and IFP may not meet constitutional muster, I argue. Regardless of whether it has been agreed upon, it is null & void. It contains provisions that skirt too close to the violation of the party/state division.

A thread. 🧵🪡
1. To start, it is an exciting time. Finally, the ANC can be held accountable. Wonderful, but does that process meet constitutional muster? Is the process legal? I am afraid that it is not, in my humble opinion.
2. The agreement reads like its sole focus is on the appointment of Ministers. Vague requirements are included of alignment with the founding values of the Constitution. That is all well and good. It also commits alignment to the Bill of Rights. Lovely.
Read 29 tweets

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