2024 Parliamentary Elections

Aiming to influence public opinion on social media platforms, malicious actors use various methods, tactics, and narratives in discreditation campaigns. Analysis of online campaigns shows that women actively participating in public and political life become targets of sexist discreditation campaigns. Sexist messages, including misogynistic memes and edited videos spread through disinformation and manipulative efforts, undermine the appearance and intellectual abilities of targeted women and exploit their personal relationships to portray them as immoral.

ISFED published its first report on sexist messages disseminated on social media platforms in 2024.[1] Monitoring of Facebook and TikTok at the start of the election year, from January 1 to April 7, revealed that identical content was being distributed simultaneously across both platforms, and mainly anonymous pages and profiles were used to spread sexist messages. The messages spread against women reflected existing gender stereotypes and norms in society.

This report covers the monitoring of online sexist attacks, primarily carried out by anonymous actors, targeting women politicians, journalists, civil society representatives, and activists. Facebook and TikTok were chosen for observation as they are the most commonly used social media platforms by political actors in Georgia.

 

 

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¹ International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy, 2024. “Sexist Messages on Social Media Platforms.”

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sSMRE4Tf0D9l_8WKpwHXAsPXFVfbom4T/view