‘Dark ads’ cast a shadow over Ireland’s referendum on abortion

'Dark ads' cast a shadow over Ireland's referendum on abortion

By Kara Fox, CNN
Fri May 18, 2018

Dublin (CNN)Attempts by Facebook and Google to tackle "dark ads" and foreign interference in the run-up to Ireland's referendum on abortion haven't been entirely successful, data from a transparency group seen by CNN has shown.

The Transparent Referendum Initiative (TRI), a volunteer organization set up to monitor social-media posts about the referendum has collected ads from 180 Facebook groups targeting Irish voters.

Continued: https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/18/tech/ireland-abortion-referendum-facebook-google-intl/index.html

Ireland – Referendum advertising rules hit strategies for final fortnight

Referendum advertising rules hit strategies for final fortnight
No side claim Facebook and Google announcements are the result of Yes lobbying

May 12, 2018
Peter Murtagh

“We are here in Dublin with ProtectThe8th this morning. Pray for us! #warroomsessions”, said the Facebook posting by Fuzati, conveying something of a mixture of giddy excitement and determination.

The photo below the message showed an unkempt room in a Georgian house, complete with Adams-style fireplace, a fine plaster ceiling and a pair of large, closed double doors leading into another room.

Continued: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/abortion-referendum/referendum-advertising-rules-hit-strategies-for-final-fortnight-1.3492141

Ireland – The poisonous online campaign to defeat the abortion referendum

The poisonous online campaign to defeat the abortion referendum
Una Mullally: Protect the 8th and Undecided8 are ruthlessly targeting undecided voters

May 6, 2018
Una Mullally

An ad kept popping up as I watched YouTube clips the other day, the type of ad you’re forced to sit through before you can play the video you’ve selected. The ad was from Protect the 8th, one of the groups campaigning for a No vote in the abortion referendum, and its slickness was almost out of step with the more sensational messaging the No side has been using. “Don’t be tricked,” it declared.

I ignored it the first time. But then I watched a completely different YouTube video. There the ad was again. It was clear a big, and expensive, online advertising campaign was being rolled out. Around the same time people noticed adverts on Facebook linking to a website called Undecided8, which purported to be an unbiased website for “facts”.

Continued: https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/the-poisonous-online-campaign-to-defeat-the-abortion-referendum-1.3486236