Push to stop fake news impact on election

The parliament's electoral matters committee has opened a new inquiry looking at fake news, social media bots and improving voters' media literacy.

Source: AAP

The spread of "fake news" and use of social media bots to target voters will be explored in a new parliamentary inquiry.

The electoral matters committee is expected to hold a public hearing in Canberra on Wednesday to kick off the inquiry, sparked by concerns the next federal election could the target of social media manipulation.

The inquiry will also look at ways to improve the media literacy of Australian voters.