Agents of Disinformation: The Rise of Counterfeit Election Observers

这个项目调查了“伪造的”选举观察员作为虚假信息代理人的崛起。它使用四个案例研究和四个定性方法，确定了独裁政权如何诱使党派个人模仿真正的国际观察员。预期的项目成果是对伪造选举观察员的来源、特征和影响的解释，这实际上适用于我们的外交和国家情报界以及真正的观察组织。从这个项目中获得的知识不仅将有助于保护澳大利亚免受恶意虚假信息的伤害，还将促进其在世界各地促进良好治理和更强大的民主机构的兴趣。

This project investigates the rise of “counterfeit” election observers as agents of disinformation. Using four case studies and four qualitative methods, it identifies how autocratic regimes entice partisan individuals to imitate genuine international observers. The expected project outcome is an explanation for the origins, features and impact of counterfeit election observers that is practically applicable to our foreign affairs and national intelligence communities as well as genuine observation organisations. The knowledge gained from this project will not only help defend Australia from malign disinformation, but advance its interest in the promotion of good governance and stronger democratic institutions everywhere.