Mayor reports Facebook 'trolls' to police over AI parody videos
A Queensland mayor calls for a parody Facebook page to be removed saying it glorifies bullying, while commenters defend the creators' right to political satire.
Queensland's Mayor Helen Blackburn has reported an anonymous Facebook page to the police, alleging it promotes bullying behavior. The page, created months ago, features South Park-inspired AI-generated videos of a fictional version of the mayor. Queensland Police is investigating after the page shared Blackburn's mobile number. The mayor has complained to the Queensland Police, Australian Federal Police, and the federal eSafety commissioner about the page.
She believes the page glorifies bullying behavior, noting the difficulty in distinguishing between political satire and cyber abuse. Blackburn has attempted to contact the creators to have the videos removed, but when they refused, she disconnected her phone number and the Queensland Police confirmed they are investigating. The parody Facebook page has sparked debate over the line between legitimate public comment and trolling.
The creators argue the page is a voice for the community, not a spotlight on an individual, and moderation is taken seriously. However, Blackburn calls for more protections for adults against online abuse, suggesting cyber abuse should be considered a form of violence.
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