Australia’s electoral watchdog is reviewing content posted by social media personality and LiSTNR’s Abbie Chatfield.
The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) will examine whether her collaborative posts with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Greens Leader Adam Bandt should be classified as ‘political content.’
Hear more from today’s headlines on The Briefing:
Her posts featured clips of her interviews with Albanese and Bandt, after she invited them on her podcast, It’s A Lot with Abbie Chatfield.
Certain political materials are legally required to include an authorisation message.
The AEC guidelines say, “If you are creating content about an election and sharing it, it may need to include an authorisation message that makes clear who approved it.”
Content may require an authorisation message if:
- It has the primary purpose of influencing the way electors vote.
- It is a paid advertisement.
- It is produced by or on behalf of a political entity, donor, candidate or party.
- It is printed content on a sticker, flyer, poster, fridge magnet, etc.
Interviews with traditional media sources are excluded from these rules.
Exceptions include satirical, academic, or artistic content; news reporting; and personal communications such as graffiti or skywriting.
This decision could set a precedent as more politicians collaborate with influencers to reach younger voters and spread their message.
Subscribe to The Briefing, Australia’s fastest-growing news podcast on Listnr today. The Briefing serves up the latest news headlines and a deep dive into a topic affecting you. All in under 20 minutes.