Regulating Online Campaign Finance Chasing the Ghost?
About this ebook
It not only helps them to reach out to more voters with comparatively lower costs, but also allows them to communicate more targeted messages to voters when compared with other traditional campaign tools. Despite the growing use of online campaigns, appropriate regulation of online expenditures is almost non-existent around the world. In fact, online expenditure is one of the key weaknesses of political finance systems and regulatory frameworks.
Appropriate regulation of online expenditures will not only protect the integrity of the political process, but also thwart negative effects, such as disinformation and polarization and, more generally, prevent inauthentic activities that usually characterize online campaigns. As online expenditure is a relatively new phenomenon, its regulation is not straightforward and there is no conclusive evidence on what works. This report outlines some of the challenges that policymakers, legislators and oversight agencies face when drafting and implementing laws to include online expenditure within the scope of regulated political finance. It also provides recommendations for policymakers, social media platforms, political parties, candidates and campaigners, as well as civil society actors, on the steps that they can take towards closing the regulatory gap.
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About the author
Khushbu Agrawal a Programme Officer at International IDEA in Stockholm, Sweden. Her research and work focus on political finance and influence of money in politics, and achieving inclusive, responsive and accountable institutions and processes. She has previously worked at the Institute’s Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean and the Nepal Country Office, in addition to the International Organization for Migration, Save the Children, and South Asia Partnership International. In her previous roles, she developed and led programmes, and conducted research, policy analysis and programme evaluation in the areas of gender, peace and conflict, and equitable political participation. She holds a master’s degree in Public Policy from the Australian National University.
Yukihiko Hamada is a Programme Manager at International IDEA. He leads the Money in Politics (MiP) programme and provides policy guidance to advance the political finance reforms in a number of countries. His research and work focuses on political finance regulations, anti-corruption and public integrity. He has authored a number of policy papers and news articles including The Integrity of Political Finance Systems in Asia (International IDEA 2019) and The Integrity of Political Finance Systems in Africa (International IDEA 2019) as well as led the 2020 update of International IDEA’s Political Finance Database. Prior to joining International IDEA in 2018, Yuki was a policy analyst at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in Paris where he managed various projects on political finance, lobbying, conflict of interest and other public sector integrity issues. He also has a wide range of public sector experience in both Japan and the UK. He holds a PhD in Political Science from University College London, UK.
Alberto Fernández Gibaja is a Senior Programme Officer at International IDEA. His work focuses on the crossroads between political participation, innovation and technology. His expertise and research cover new forms of citizen engagement in decision-making, public policies and politics surrounding the role of technology in democracy, and the protection of the integrity of political processes. Previously, he worked as a Governance Officer for the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor Leste. He has also worked at the Club of Madrid, the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society and the Jordanian Regional Center for Conflict Prevention. He holds an MA in International Studies from Uppsala University.
The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) is an intergovernmental organization with the mission to advance democracy worldwide, as a universal human aspiration and enabler of sustainable development. We do this by supporting the building, strengthening and safeguarding of democratic political institutions and processes at all levels. Our vision is a world in which democratic processes, actors and institutions are inclusive and accountable and deliver sustainable development to all.
