1. Covid-19 attracts patriotic troll campaigns in support of China’s geopolitical interests
- Author:
- Albert Zhang and Elise Thomas
- Publication Date:
- 04-2020
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- Australian Strategic Policy Institute
- Abstract:
- This new research highlights the growing significance and impact of Chinese non-state actors on western social media platforms. Across March and April 2020, this loosely coordinated pro-China trolling campaign on Twitter has: Harassed and mimicked western media outlets; Impersonated Taiwanese users in an effort to undermine Taiwan’s position with the World Health Organisation (WHO); Spread false information about the Covid-19 outbreak; Joined in pre-existing inauthentic social media campaigns.
- Topic:
- World Health Organization, Non State Actors, Geopolitics, Social Media, COVID-19, Misinformation, and Twitter
- Political Geography:
- China, Taiwan, Asia, and Australia