Political disinformation targeting voters on Chinese social media platforms has significantly increased in recent years, particularly during the current federal election campaign. A study by Dr. Fan Yang from the University of Melbourne has revealed thousands of misleading and incorrect political statements on Mandarin-language apps such as WeChat and RedNote over a five-year span.
WeChat, a dominant platform among Chinese Australians, is used by more than 70% of this demographic to access news. Meanwhile, RedNote, likened to Instagram, is also gaining traction and contributing to misleading narratives within migrant communities. The study identified that questionable information is often proliferated by parties with financial interests, particularly in migration, real estate, and education sectors.
The research showed that many third-party news outlets on WeChat repurpose stories from reputable Australian media, but often distort the information through mistranslations or lack of context. Notably, about 30% of Chinese Australians encountered fabricated news during the 2022 federal election, with 34% expressing uncertainty in identifying misinformation.
One alarming instance involved a post claiming that “tens of thousands of Chinese may be deported,” which falsely implicated major Australian political parties in a fabricated policy. Such disinformation exploits the heightened political activity during election cycles, allowing businesses to manipulate public sentiments for commercial gain.
As users migrated toward RedNote amidst uncertainties regarding TikTok’s future, misleading content on this new platform was reportedly even more abundant. The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) has acknowledged the rising concerns over misleading electoral content on platforms like RedNote and WeChat, indicating it is assessing user referrals related to such disinformation.
Dr. Yang noted that a substantial portion of the disinformation is commercially motivated, with migration and education agencies leveraging fears associated with electoral policies to drive business. One example highlighted the posting of a video suggesting that Immigration Minister Tony Burke intended to cancel visas, urging migrants to secure residency before potential policy changes.
Although the AEC does not actively monitor WeChat or RedNote, it remains vigilant regarding calls for referrals to investigate content. Unfortunately, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) currently lacks the authority to regulate misinformation and disinformation during elections.
In summary, the prevalence of political disinformation on Chinese social media platforms represents a significant challenge, particularly as it capitalises on the uncertainties and anxieties within migrant communities in Australia.