The rightwing advocacy group Advance has acknowledged it is paying for election materials attacking the Greens to be used by third-party groups during the election campaign.

The Advance spokesperson said: “Our campaign against the Greens won’t defeat teals because it was never meant to. We have been crystal clear for the past 18 months that our focus is on the Greens this election.”

Advance has also focused on the anti-renewables movement, appearing at “energy forums” across the country and events held by groups set up to oppose the rollout of offshore wind and solar energy.

What a bunch of truly shitty people :(

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[–] Gorgritch_umie_killa@aussie.zone 2 points 2 days ago (1 children)

So, i was speaking in the context of Australia. So thats important when considering how its working out so far. Each Nation's media is distinct to a greater or lesser degree. And, i think its going pretty well here, not perfect though.

You're dead right about the media and social media skews. But Australia is, luckily/smartly, dealing with these issues better than most. We actually have a Government whonis willing to put up legislation afainst social media platforms, however flawed that legislation may be, that places known limits in the minds of those platforms owners' power.

The concentration of traditional media has been diluted from its zenith of power by the ABC, and the introduction of Guardian. One of which will never leave, and the other of which has a great deal of support. And of course those Social media companies whose interests don't always align.

Basically, i think its going better for us here, which the Greens success as a mainstay Party proves. Along with other minor parties, Nationals not included in that, they have a unique historical context which seems to have frozen them as a share of the electorate and nation.

[–] eureka@aussie.zone 3 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I'm also talking about Australia, I only brought up Cambridge Analytical as a notorious case of a phenomenon we also see here, ABC alleges there were online misinformation bots interfering with the recent referendum.

I completely agree that the ABC and having The Guardian and to some degree Independent Australia and The Chaser media in the mainstream puts us in a better situation than our neighbours. Yes, definitely. However, I also emphasise that this is still a heavily tilted table, with 7, 9, 10 and (depending on your region) Sky on public television and online, plus the usual suspects like The Australian, but also many regional news sites are owned by them too.

Until we (as a general society) shift away from those media platforms, they influence the information we (as a general society) receive and how it's framed. Yeah, it's better, but it's still very uphill. Legislation and our political situation have made it easier, it helps but it can't solve the problem on its own.

And thanks for replying, it's made me realise that I should be sharing more news from progressive publications to help make that shift happen.

[–] Gorgritch_umie_killa@aussie.zone 2 points 1 day ago

Its why i'm so excited by the idea of Activitypub. It offers the world another chance at a genuine 'Market of Ideas'. And thats what i'm all about, sharing the idea's not necessarily from a specific political hue, but they have to be based in the facts for me.

But, i don't think its a coincidence that theres a large crossover with progressive publications, and 'factual' outlets. Progressives afterall have to take the world as they find it otherwise they'd progress from nonsense to chaos. Thats something not all across other parts of the political spectrum feel a strong demand on.