Misinformation and disinformation in local election polls

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Synopsis

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.

The Questionable Poll. (Screenshot from Facebook)

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.

Transcript

Transcript in progress.

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Program Notes

Guests

Mick Sweetman — Guest Political Reporter.
Anne Marie Dryden — Retired financial advisor, and REAL candidate for mayor in the City of Nanaimo.
Sarah Lovegrove — Candidate for Mayor, City of Nanaimo and VIU Nursing Professor.
Leonard Krog — Incumbent Mayor, City of Nanaimo.
Colleen Hildebrandt — Senior Director of Communications, Elections BC.
Aiden McIlvaney — Masters Student on Political Behaviour and Survey Methods, McGill University.