Misinformation or disinfomation

Misinformation and disinformation pose a threat to the safety and wellbeing of Australians, as well as to our democracy, society and economy. REF

During elections, voters are often inundated with vast amounts of information, some of which may be unreliable or deliberately false. Electoral disinformation is information spread regarding the election, or election matters, intended to deceive voters. It may also be called ‘fake news’. Misinformation on the other hand may deceive voters unintentionally.

1. Misinformation undermines the integrity of the electoral process by amplifying voter confusion and eroding trust in the democratic process. Getting the right information allows voters to make an informed choice about their voting options and know that their vote counts in making their voice heard about the issues that matter to them.
2. Disinformation can be disseminated via a range of communication channels but can be particularly prevalent online. Social media and online websites can be a quick and effective channel to spread electoral disinformation.

It is therefore very important that you check the source and review whether it can be considered reliable, current and safe.

The 'check the source' campaign is aimed at raising awareness of the need to consider and review the source of electoral communication. This is so electors can avoid being misled by disinformation and can cast an informed vote at elections.

Resource: Check the source campaign

Resource: Social Media

Publication of misleading advertising material in elections

Misleading advertising - council elections

Local Government (Elections) Act - s 28

Electoral material must not contain a statement purporting to be a statement of fact that is inaccurate or misleading to a material extent.

If electoral material contains a statement purporting to be a statement of fact, and the statement is inaccurate and misleading to a material extent, a person who authorised, caused or permitted the publication of the material (the publisher) is guilty of an offence.

This section applies to material published by any means (including radio or television).

If the Electoral Commissioner is satisfied that published electoral material contains a statement purporting to be a statement of fact that is inaccurate and misleading to a material extent, the Electoral Commissioner may request the publisher to withdraw the material from further publication and/or publish a retraction.

The publisher's response to a request by the Electoral Commissioner may be taken into account in assessing any penalty to which the publisher may be liable.

https://ecsa.sa.gov.au/parties-and-candidates/electoral-advertising-council-elections

Misleading advertising - state elections

Electoral Act - ss 113(1),(2),(4)

A person who authorises, causes or permits the publication of an electoral advertisement by any means (including radio or television) is guilty of an offence if the advertisement contains a statement purporting to be a statement of fact that is inaccurate and misleading to a material extent.

If the Electoral Commissioner is satisfied that an electoral advertisement contains a statement purporting to be a statement of fact that is inaccurate and misleading to a material extent, the Electoral Commissioner may request the advertiser to do one or more of the following:

withdraw the advertisement from further publication;
publish a retraction in specified terms and a specified manner and form.

https://ecsa.sa.gov.au/parties-and-candidates/electoral-advertising-state-elections