Misinformation and disinformation in local election polls
Ahead of local elections in the City of Nanaimo, questionable polls have been circulating online on social media like Facebook drawing the criticism of community members.
An unscientific straw poll was but one issue, but another poll circulated by Noni Bartlett, associated with political slate REAL Nanaimo, appears to have been generated entirely by AI. The poll showed Anne Marie Dryden, candidate for mayor with the REAL slate in the lead over incumbent Leonard Krog, candidates Sarah Lovegrove and Brunie Brunie. In response to community members calling the poll fake, Barlett claimed she had found it elsewhere on Facebook, but did not respond to inquiries regarding said source. No apparent other source was found.
Bartlett was contacted for comment, but did not respond by broadcast deadline. The poll was later removed by Bartlett.
Political reporter Mick Sweetman joins host Joe Pugh to talk about polls, the fallout, response from mayoral candidates, and explore with guests misinformation in local elections.
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Podcast Photo: Social Media Icons close up. (Brett Jordan / Pexels)
