Misinformation Emerges as Major Concern for Australian Voters Ahead of Federal Election

The spread of false information during election campaigns has emerged as a significant threat to democracies worldwide, with new research revealing Australians are increasingly encountering electoral misinformation and expressing concern about its impact on the democratic process.

A comprehensive survey of over 7,000 Australians conducted during March and April—when the election campaign was intensifying—found that at least two-thirds of respondents had already encountered false or misleading election information. More alarmingly, an overwhelming 94% viewed political misinformation as a problem, with more than half categorizing it as a “big” or “very big problem.”

“Whether deliberate or unintentional, Australians are being exposed to various types of election falsehoods,” said researchers from the multi-university study funded by the Australian Research Council. The findings align with both Australian and international studies showing growing public anxiety about being misled during electoral processes.

The research identified several categories of misinformation circulating in the Australian electoral landscape. The most prevalent category, encountered by 63.1% of respondents, involved falsehoods about political issues or candidates, including misleading claims about parties’ policy proposals.

Nearly 39% reported encountering misinformation about voting procedures, such as when and how to vote, while a similar proportion (38.4%) identified fake content questioning election integrity, including false claims that elections are rigged or that the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) is collaborating with political parties.

Concerningly, between 20-30% of respondents were unsure whether they had encountered misleading content. This uncertainty is problematic as it can undermine the formation of informed opinions and reflects previous research showing many Australians feel limited in their ability to verify online information.

The study revealed that misinformation frequently centered on major election issues including Medicare, nuclear energy, housing, cost of living, and climate policies. When asked about sources or names associated with misleading information, respondents most commonly cited Donald Trump, Clive Palmer, the Labor Party, the Liberal Party, and Facebook.

Dr. Andrea Carson, one of the researchers involved in the study, noted that respondents identified misleading content in both mainstream daily news outlets and social media platforms, highlighting the pervasive nature of the problem across multiple information channels.

While exposure to misinformation doesn’t necessarily equate to impact, the researchers cautioned that false information can influence attitudes and behavior among vulnerable groups. Their previous work during the 2023 Voice referendum demonstrated that disinformation targeting the AEC had a small but noticeable effect on public trust, even though overall trust remained high.

“In another global study, we found online disinformation can distort perceptions of election fairness,” said Professor Sally Young, another researcher on the team. “These findings underscore the need for electoral authorities and political leaders to work together to protect democratic trust and prevent the kind of election denialism that led to the January 6 Capitol insurrection in the United States.”

The Australian Electoral Commission has established itself as a global leader in countering electoral misinformation, implementing innovative strategies despite the absence of federal “truth in advertising” laws. The AEC’s multi-pronged approach includes a public disinformation register, media partnerships, and the “Stop and Consider” campaign, which provides clear, accurate information to help voters think critically before sharing content.

Encouragingly, 89% of Australians surveyed recognized the importance of knowing how to identify misinformation, while 83% agreed that the practice makes it harder for others to separate fact from fiction. However, only 69% felt false information affected them personally, suggesting a possible “third-person effect” where people believe others are more influenced by misinformation than themselves.

The research also revealed that individuals with greater satisfaction in Australian democracy perceive disinformation as less of an existential threat than those who are already dissatisfied, suggesting that a positive attitude toward democratic institutions may serve as a protective factor.

Organizations like the Susan McKinnon Foundation and the Scanlon Foundation are contributing to these efforts through initiatives promoting democratic governance and fostering public discourse on truth and trust in politics.

As the election approaches, the researchers emphasized that combating electoral misinformation and disinformation serves the democratic interests of all Australians, regardless of political affiliation.