GCIS urges communicators to fight fake news trend

Government communicators must uphold the highest standards of ethics, integrity and professionalism. They must do this as they navigate an increasingly complex information landscape, Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) Deputy Director-General Michael Currin said on Friday. Currin warned that communication has the power to either stabilise or destabilise societies.

This is particularly true in an era marked by misinformation and disinformation. Addressing participants at the Mastering the Art of Government Communication course in Pretoria, Currin stressed the critical role communicators play. “We are not merely conveyors of information; we are the bridge between government and the citizens we serve,” he said.

The course is hosted jointly by GCIS and the National School of Government at the GCIS head office. Currin said the work of government communicators is central to shaping public understanding, building trust and supporting effective service delivery. “We are operating in a time where communication can either stabilise a nation or deepen uncertainty.

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We have seen this both locally and globally,” he said. Currin pointed to the Covid-19 pandemic as a stark example of how misinformation can influence public behaviour and undermine public health responses. “False claims about vaccines, treatments, and government interventions circulated widely, demonstrating how quickly unverified information can influence public behaviour,” he said.

He added that the battle for influence is not confined to health crises. “On the global stage, we continue to witness how communications shape geopolitical realities. The Russia-Ukraine war is not only being fought on the battlefield but also in the information space where narratives, propaganda and information influence international opinion and police decisions,” Currin said.

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