Fibs and exaggeration have always been part of politics – but who knows what lies are now being pushed online?

Once upon a time, politicians lied in bed—it’s a phrase that might have cut through. But today, lying has taken on new dimensions with 30,573 fibs during one politician’s first term alone. Now, with tools like YouTube and social media algorithms amplifying persuasive lies, the public is being fed a diet of misinformation shaped by targeted ads. While the Australian Electoral Commission tries to combat this, it’s struggling because there’s no requirement for truthfulness in authorized ads. The result is a slippery slope where voters are more likely to be influenced than ever before, raising questions about the integrity of our democratic process.