An expansion of Australia’s truth in political advertising (TiPA) laws is critical to address modern challenges in the digital and AI landscape, according to new research released today that shows overwhelming public support.
The Susan McKinnon Foundation has supported Associate Professor Yee-Fui Ng to today release the final report on the operation and effectiveness of ‘truth in political advertising’ (TiPA) laws.
The research builds on the interim report published in September 2024 and is based on 34 interviews with stakeholders in South Australia, the ACT (which had these laws in place for the first time at its recent election), NSW and Victoria. Interviewees include premiers, MPs, Electoral Commissioners, political party directors and civil society groups.
The report provides 25 recommendations to enhance the design, operation, and enforcement of TiPA laws and ensure their effectiveness in modern political campaigns.
Key findings:
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TiPA laws should target false and misleading statements of fact, not opinions or predictions, while applying broadly to all forms of political advertising, including digital and AI-generated content
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Education and training for political participants, along with public complaint platforms, are essential to ensure compliance and transparency
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Sanctions, retractions, and public disclosures should be part of the enforcement strategy to deter breaches
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Calls for regulation of AI-generated materials in political campaigns, addressing risks posed by deepfakes and misinformation
To read more about these, you can access the final report and summaries of the interviews here.
Associate Professor Yee-Fui Ng is available for comment.
Contact details:
Associate Professor Yee-Fui Ng: [email protected]
Lauren Ferri: 0422 581 506