Candidates in the local and general elections last year were subjected to a barrage of online abuse, hate and threats – including death threats – according to research from the media regulator, Coimisiún na Meán.
Almost six in 10 (59 per cent) of general election candidates and almost half (48 per cent) of local election candidates experienced offensive, abusive or hateful behaviour online; violent or intimidating behaviour online; or were impersonated online.
In the local elections, almost one in four candidates (24 per cent) who experienced negative online behaviours were subjected to threats to kill or harm them. The figure for the general election was slightly lower, at 21 per cent.
Immigration was the issue which was most frequently cited by candidates as a reason for them being targeted, cited by 71 per cent of candidates who experienced abuse in the local elections and 64 per cent in the general election.
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Other issues cited were women’s issues, housing, environmental stances and LGBTQ issues.
The research included surveys and interviews among candidates who took part in both elections and was undertaken by the media regulator as part of its efforts to support safe participation in public life and electoral integrity.
At a briefing for journalists in Dublin, officials from Coimisiún na Meán said that the experience of online abuse was having a real impact on people who run for election and posed dangers for the democratic process.
Two-thirds (67 per cent) of candidates who experienced negative online experiences during the general election campaign reported feeling anxious or afraid, with 15 per cent saying they were “very anxious”.
A third (33 per cent) increased home security, while 41 per cent said they were worried about their families’ safety. Almost a fifth (18 per cent) suffered physical or mental health impacts; among local election candidates, the figure was even higher, at 23 per cent.
“Female candidates,” the report found, “reported significantly higher rates of anxiety in both elections.”
Candidates expressed “widespread frustration”, the report found, “at the perceived lack of responsiveness from social media platforms, saying they felt unsupported when reporting threats, abuse or harassment.”
The most common response when candidates contacted social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Instagram, to complain about abuse was to be told that the content did not violate their standards.
Digital Services Commissioner John Evans said the role of Coimisiún na Meán was not to regulate content online, but rather to monitor online platforms and ensure they were responsive to complaints.
No specific action has been taken against the social media platforms arising out of last year’s elections.
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However, Mr Evans said the regulator was considering whether to launch a review of the platforms’ behaviour under the EU Digital Services Act.
“Ahead of the 2025 Presidential election and future electoral events,” the report says, “An Coimisiún will make clear to platforms the urgent need to develop and enforce their rules.”
A meeting with the platforms is planned for the coming weeks, officials said.
