The Decibel
The changing face of election interference
Apr 20, 2025
Aengus Bridgman is the Director of the Media Ecosystem Observatory at McGill University, specializing in information manipulation. Nina Jankowicz, co-founder of the American Sunlight Project, is a disinformation expert with government experience. Together, they discuss the mounting risks of foreign interference in elections, the effects of social media on public trust, and the dangers posed by AI and deepfake technology. They emphasize the importance of critical thinking and promoting local, authentic information to preserve democratic integrity.
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Quick takeaways
- Information manipulation, driven by foreign actors like India and China, poses significant threats to election integrity and democratic systems.
- The evolution of technology and social media has amplified misinformation, necessitating critical media literacy for informed citizen engagement during elections.
Deep dives
The Threat of Information Manipulation
Information manipulation poses a significant risk to democratic processes, particularly during election campaigns. A recent report highlighted that countries such as India, China, Pakistan, and Russia are expected to attempt to influence election outcomes through the spread of misleading information. Indications of interference in the current election have already been observed, including online manipulation tactics like bot activity and the alteration of Facebook groups for political purposes. Such strategies prioritize covert manipulations that can significantly shift public perception and influence election results.
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