Women in politics worldwide are disproportionately targeted by gendered disinformation campaigns that use fake stories filled with sexual innuendos, conspiracy theories, threats, and explicit images to undermine their credibility, portraying them as untrustworthy or incompetent. While attacks on politicians are common, those aimed at women are often more vicious and personal, focusing on gender stereotypes and appearance rather than policy decisions. These disinformation campaigns frame female leaders as either enemies or powerless victims, perpetuating sexist narratives that distort public perceptions and discourage women from entering politics.
By undermining female leaders, this disinformation not only boosts the credibility of male candidates but is also exploited by autocratic regimes to destabilize democratic institutions. Perpetrators, whether state-sponsored or private groups, are often motivated by extremist ideologies, anti-rights, anti-feminist views, or political and financial interests. Inflammatory rhetoric from political figures and community leaders further fuels this toxic environment, encouraging online violence and the spread of gendered disinformation.
Overlooked Threat to Democracy and National Security
Despite the focus on combating fake news and foreign influence, gendered disinformation remains a significant but often overlooked threat to election integrity and democracy. It not only hinders women’s participation in politics but also threatens gender equality and human rights. Addressing gendered disinformation is crucial for protecting female political leaders’ integrity and advancing women’s rights and national security, as it destabilizes societies and erodes democratic processes.
The Blurring Boundaries of Gendered Disinformation in the Digital Age
The lines between disinformation, hate speech, and violence are increasingly blurred, with both online and offline consequences becoming more interconnected. Digital technologies, such as social media and AI tools, amplify gendered disinformation, allowing it to spread faster and reach a wider audience. Gender-based attacks, particularly those targeting female political leaders, remain highly effective, as they exploit deeply rooted misogynistic concepts within male-dominated political spheres and patriarchal cultures still prevalent in many societies.
Notable Cases of High-Profile Female Politicians Around the World Targeted by Gendered Misinformation
Disinformation campaigns targeting female politicians are a growing global crisis, escalating at an alarming rate
- In 2022, a fake image of Ukraine’s First Lady, Olena Zelenska, lying topless on a beach in Israel circulated widely on Facebook. The image triggered criticism, with claims that she was enjoying herself while her war-torn country suffered. However, a reverse image search by AFP (Agence France Presse) revealed that the woman in the photo was actually a Russian television presenter.
- Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who announced her resignation in January 2023, also faced a torrent of disinformation, including false claims about her gender.
- Germany’s current Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock, was similarly targeted during her 2021 campaign for Chancellor. Disinformation campaigns questioned her suitability for the role, including a false claim that a nude model was her, accompanied by insinuations that she had engaged in sex work.
- Former First Lady Michelle Obama and current French First Lady Brigitte Macron have also been targets of false online posts, falsely claiming they were born as men, which led to widespread mockery and transphobic remarks.
- In 2021, Annalena Baerbock, the frontrunner in Germany’s chancellery election, became the target of a vicious social media campaign. Photoshopped images of a nude Russian model purported to be Baerbock were widely circulated, followed by sexist attacks questioning her ability to balance chancellorship with motherhood. Her approval ratings swiftly declined, and she ultimately lost the election, finishing in third place.
- In 2017, Ukrainian MP Svitlana Zalishchuk addressed the United Nations on the impact of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict on women. Shortly after, a screenshot of a fake tweet began circulating, falsely claiming she had promised to run naked through the streets of Kiev if the Ukrainian army lost a key battle. This claim was accompanied by photoshopped images purportedly showing her naked. The fake story spread online for a year, overshadowing her political achievements.
How Technology and AI Amplify Gendered Disinformation Against Female Politicians
Gendered disinformation is more challenging to fact-check compared to straightforward true or false stories. This complexity arises because algorithms used by for-profit social media platforms amplify harmful narratives, making them more viral and widespread through recommender systems designed to maximize attention and profits.
The unique nature of gendered disinformation introduces several challenges for detection and counteraction. Tactics often involve inside jokes, coded language, and altered terms of abuse, all of which require extensive contextual knowledge to interpret. Visual disinformation, such as memes and images targeting female politicians, especially women of color, further complicates traditional content moderation, which often lacks the nuance needed to address these issues effectively.
Generative AI exacerbates these problems. Women, particularly in politics, are disproportionately targeted by malicious uses of new technologies. For example, a 2019 study found that 96% of deepfakes were non-consensual pornography, with 99% depicting women. This technology has been weaponized against female politicians worldwide. For instance, India’s youngest female parliamentarian, Chandrani Murmu, faced a brutal disinformation campaign involving the widespread distribution of deepfake pornographic videos designed to harass and intimidate her.
In Chile, a 2023 survey revealed that 96.8% of surveyed women parliamentarians had been victims of disinformation as a form of digital and gender-based violence during their public service or campaign work.
Moreover, a recent report by the Global Disinformation Index demonstrated that brands inadvertently fund misogynistic disinformation across news sites, further complicating efforts to combat these harmful narratives online.
The Legitimation of Gendered Disinformation by the Media
Traditional media can also, deliberately or inadvertently, reinforce and legitimize gendered disinformation both online and offline. In 2022, following a meeting between former Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin and former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, they were both questioned by various press outlets if the reason for their meeting was their age or gender. Would any journalist ask this question to President Joe Biden meeting German Chancellor Olaf Scholz ? Probably not.
Addressing the Accountability Gap: Regulating Social Media Platforms to Combat Gendered Disinformation
Social media platforms act as content curators, with algorithms that often reward and amplify hateful and gendered disinformation for profit. Currently, these platforms are not required to follow stringent standards regarding user content, and there is a significant lack of control and monitoring. Platforms largely rely on user-based reporting to address issues, which is often insufficient. Despite claims of addressing hate speech and harmful disinformation, including gendered disinformation, such content continues to spread unchecked.
While Regulations Evolve, Swift Action is Essential
Debates on moderating online information center on various approaches, such as flagging false content and providing fact-checked information, as seen during the Covid-19 pandemic. Co-regulation, where legislative bodies mandate fact-checking, faces challenges due to resistance, especially when biases like gender bias are involved.
In cases where fact-checking isn’t enough, some countries, like France, Germany, and Canada, empower authorities to remove disinformation and fine platforms. Addressing gendered issues requires specialized training to counteract normalized gendered speech, though balancing false information removal with free speech remains contentious.
While measures like the UK Online Safety Act and EU regulations criminalizing non-consensual intimate images and deepfakes are steps forward, they are often seen as insufficient for long-term solutions. Legal actions take time, and while increasing regulations is crucial, immediate action is necessary to protect those affected by gendered disinformation. Targeted officials need swift, decisive action to ensure their operational continuity, restore the truth, and protect their honor and family. As such, many rely on specialized companies to combat these attacks and safeguard their reputations.
Hington Klarsey: Expert Defense Against Gendered Disinformation and Smear Campaigns
At Hington Klarsey, we help our clients combat Gendered Disinformation and have been effectively handling smear campaigns for over 20 years. Our proactive and aggressive measures ensure the swift removal of harmful misinformation and weaponized fake news targeting prominent business people and politicians.
Utilizing advanced screening systems, we swiftly identify and flag damaging content on social media and in the press. Our team implements discreet yet powerful strategies to protect our clients from unwarranted attacks based on gender. Trust Hington Klarsey to safeguard your reputation and ensure a fair and balanced representation in the digital world. Contact us today to learn more about our specialized services.
