This working paper, released in May 2023, outlines a measurable rise in both volume and tone of transphobia, as well as evidence of foreign interference in New Zealand online communities.

“The type of language and imagery we’re seeing is significantly more violent, including repeated use of language that denies that trans people exist, or that they should be allowed to exist,” said Dr Sanjana Hattotuwa, Research Fellow at The Disinformation Project.

The researchers saw specific tactics which suggested foreign influence and interference were being used to help this increase in violence. Utilising disinformation narrative techniques including, but not limited to rage-baiting, performative outrage, emotional contagions, inflammatory presentations, aggrieved frames, and dangerous speech, the rapid, continuous, and repetitive content production we observe in Aotearoa New Zealand’s disinformation ecologies mimics or is modelled on Russian propaganda techniques. (From the website). Record #8147