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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Facebook Group Repurposing Example
- A Facebook group in Hamilton flipped from a buy-and-sell group to a racist political platform overnight.
- It was eventually repurposed as a pro-Trump and Elon Musk group but retained its original members unaware of the change.
Influencers Amplify Information's Power
- Information only matters online once shared by influential Canadian voices with significant followers.
- The Media Ecosystem Observatory tracks 5,000 influential Canadians to analyze how information spreads and influences online.
No Clear Foreign Interference Detected
- So far, no definitive foreign interference tied to political outcomes in Canada's election has been observed.
- AI-generated content from outside Canada has been amplified heavily, raising concerns about influence and origin.