Malign Narratives Spread on Social Media Opposed The Voice Referendum
An in-depth analysis by Insikt Group discusses the false information and malign narratives surrounding Australia’s recent The Voice referendum. Here is a summary of the key points from the document:
False information is being spread to manipulate voters against the proposed change to Australia’s Constitution in a referendum.
The majority of manipulative content is produced by conspiracy theorists, political activists, and ideological groups, including the neo-Nazi, anti-Semitic, and white nationalist group NSN and the far-right, white supremacist group Patriotic Alternative.
The Communist Party of China (CCP) is likely sponsoring an ongoing influence and disinformation campaign targeting the Parliament of Australia.
Five primary malign influence narratives are identified, including claims that the Voice will result in racial segregation, is part of a Jewish plot, is a trojan horse for communism, will enable a globalist invasion, and will establish an “aboriginal tax.”
Narrative 1: The Voice Will Result in an Apartheid System of Racial Segregation in Australia
Summary: Political representatives, groups, activists, and news personalities are using various platforms to spread false information comparing the Voice to an apartheid system of racial segregation.
Content: The narrative compares the Voice to apartheid in South Africa and falsely claims that the Voice would give the newly created body the power to veto laws passed by Australia’s Parliament.
Infrastructure and Capabilities: Platforms like news websites, Telegram, YouTube, and social media are used to amplify this narrative. Hashtags like #VoteNoToApartheid, #VoteNoToRacism, and #VoteNoToRacistVoice are prevalent. The Telegram channel “Aboriginal Voice Exposed” is particularly active in promoting this narrative.
Narrative 2: The Voice Is Part of a Larger Jewish Plot to Decrease Australia’s Sovereignty
Summary: This narrative is propagated by NSN, Patriotic Alternative, and conspiracy theorist groups and individuals. They use platforms like 4chan, Telegram, Vimeo, YouTube, Odysee, alternative news websites, and mainstream social media to spread anti-Semitic conspiracy theories aiming to decrease support for the Voice.
Content: The narrative alleges that prominent Australian Jewish individuals are implementing the Voice as part of a broader covert agenda to weaken Australia’s sovereignty. It exploits existing prejudices and anti-Semitic conspiracy theories. Indigenous activist Mark Leibler and former Liberal Party spokesperson for Indigenous affairs Julian Leeser have been targeted with claims suggesting they are part of this alleged plot.
Narrative 3: The Voice Is a “Trojan Horse” Designed to Change Australia’s System of Governance to Communism
Summary: This narrative is promoted by individuals and groups who claim that the Voice is a covert plan to introduce communism in Australia. It is associated with the book “Red Over Black” and is amplified on social media and other online platforms.
Content: The narrative alleges that the Voice is a “Trojan Horse” for communism, drawing connections to the book “Red Over Black.” The book claims there is a communist plot to establish “Black Republic” areas in Australia inhabited by Aboriginals. Digital content, including memes and edited photos, circulates on social media, connecting terms like “Self-determination” from the “Red Over Black” video to the alleged communist takeover.
Examples: There are social media posts comparing the Voice to a “Trojan Horse” and alleging that individuals like Thomas Mayo are communists. These posts are circulated with hashtags like #votenotocommunism.
Narrative 4: The Voice Will Enable a Globalist Invasion of Australia
Summary: Conspiracy theorists are utilizing platforms like Telegram, Vimeo, YouTube, websites, alternative news articles, and mainstream social media to propagate the narrative that the establishment of the Voice will pave the way for a globalist invasion of Australia.
Content: Although the specific content details are not provided in the extracted text, the narrative is centered around the idea that the Voice is a mechanism to facilitate a globalist takeover, undermining Australia’s sovereignty and control over its own territory.
Platforms: The narrative is being spread on various online platforms, indicating a broad reach and the potential to influence a diverse audience.
Narrative 5: The Voice Will Establish an “Aboriginal Tax” to Fund Aboriginal Programs
Summary: Political activists are utilizing platforms like Telegram, YouTube, and social media to propagate a narrative that the establishment of the Voice will lead to the imposition of an “Aboriginal Tax” to fund Aboriginal programs.
Content: The narrative suggests that the implementation of the Voice will result in additional taxation on the Australian populace, specifically to fund programs for Aboriginal communities. This narrative aims to decrease support for the Voice by associating it with financial burdens on the public.
Platforms: The narrative is being disseminated through various online platforms, including Telegram and YouTube, indicating its broad reach and potential to influence a diverse audience.
Summary
These are the five malign influence narratives discussed in the PDF:
- Apartheid System: The Voice will result in racial segregation, similar to apartheid in South Africa (Pages 5, 6).
- Jewish Plot: The Voice is part of a broader covert agenda by prominent Australian Jewish individuals to weaken Australia’s sovereignty (Page 8).
- Trojan Horse for Communism: The Voice is a covert plan to introduce communism in Australia, connected to the book “Red Over Black” (Page 14).
- Globalist Invasion: The Voice will pave the way for a globalist invasion of Australia, undermining national sovereignty (Page 22).
- Aboriginal Tax: The establishment of the Voice will lead to the imposition of a new tax to fund Aboriginal programs (Page 23).
Each narrative is being spread through various online platforms and is designed to manipulate public opinion and decrease support for the Voice.
