New report highlights growing disinformation and harassment targeting local leaders

The research paper, Information Manipulation and Harassment of Local Leaders: Impacts and Implications (PDF - 1.66MB), authored by the MAV’s Head of Democracy and Diplomacy Ika Trijsburg and GMF Cities’ Paul Costello, examines how emerging technologies, polarised public debate and organised campaigns are being used to intimidate, undermine and silence local leaders across Australia.

The report finds that harassment of councillors and other local leaders is increasingly enabled by digital platforms and new technologies, including social media amplification, bot networks and AI-generated and manipulated content such as deepfake imagery, audio and video.

These capabilities significantly increase both the volume and reach of harmful content, placing new and ongoing pressures on those serving in public office.

MAV President Jennifer Anderson said the findings reflect what councils across Victoria are increasingly experiencing on the ground.

“Information Manipulation and Harassment of Local Leaders: Impacts and Implications confirms what many councillors have been telling us for some time – targeted disinformation and harassment are no longer isolated incidents, but a growing systemic challenge for local democracy,” Cr Anderson said.

“Locally elected representatives are often managing these hostilities. The impacts of these challenges have real life consequences for democratic representation and effective local decisionmaking.”

The report highlights that harassment is particularly prevalent in highly polarised policy areas, including migration, gender and sexuality, and climate action, and that organised campaigns are increasingly challenging the legitimacy and authority of councils and the local government sector more broadly.

MAV Chief Executive Officer Kelly Grigsby said the consequences extend well beyond individual harm.

“When local leaders withdraw from public engagement because of sustained abuse or disinformation, communities lose diverse voices, debate becomes narrower, and fewer people are willing to nominate for council,” Ms Grigsby said.

“This undermines trust, weakens local services and creates space for antigovernment agendas to gain traction.”

The research finds that existing regulatory and legal protections are often inadequate, difficult to navigate, or too slow to respond to the immediate needs of those being targeted.

The report recommends a holistic response model that addresses not only individual incidents, but also the broader social, political and technological drivers enabling information manipulation and harassment.

The report has been released through the Resilient Democracy Data and Research Network - a network of Australian researchers, civil society leaders and government agencies.

MAV will use the report’s findings and recommendations to inform its ongoing advocacy to ensure councils can help create safe and cohesive communities and safe council workplaces.

“Local government is the closest level of government to the community. Protecting those who serve is fundamental to protecting democratic participation,” Cr Anderson said.

“MAV is proud to be a partner in this important report and will continue to work with governments and sector partners to ensure local leaders can serve their communities safely and with confidence.”

More information:

• Information Manipulation and Harassment of Local Leaders: Impacts and Implications

For more: Sean Rogasch | 0497 808 421