Australia moves forward with Orwellian ‘misinformation’ bill
The Australian government Monday closed public comment on proposed legislation that seeks to force social media companies to censor “misinformation.”
Platforms must censor misinformation and educate users
The Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation Bill 2024 would amend the nation's existing Broadcasting Services Act by making tech companies responsible for misinformation and disinformation on their platforms. They would also be responsible for developing “media literacy plans” that would educate their users on how to identify “misinformation” and “disinformation."
Exactly how and what social media platforms would be required to report will be up to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), the government media regulator. ACMA will set rules for how companies should crack down on misinformation that causes “serious harm.” The bill defines serious harm as, among other things, insulting any group in Australian society or causing “harm to public health in Australia including the efficacy of preventative health measures.” Questioning the effectiveness or safety of a vaccine, for instance, could be considered causing serious harm.
Free speech can be violated to keep Australians "safe"
The bill acknowledges that it would be violating freedom of speech but says this is necessary to protect Australians from serious harm.
“In the case of a misinformation standard, to the extent that measures in such a standard burden the freedom of political communication, such a burden would generally be considered justifiable if the standard was a necessary and proportionate response to the risk that misinformation or disinformation on digital communications platforms will cause serious harm . . . in Australia,” says the amendment.
Censorship protects democracy
In an explanatory memo from Communications Minister Michelle Rowland, censoring misinformation is necessary to protect democracy.
“The rapid spread of seriously harmful misinformation and disinformation poses a major challenge to the proper functioning of societies across the world,” says the memo. “In democratic countries such as Australia which rely on the free flow of information to inform public debate, the integrity, diversity and reliability of information is fundamental to our democratic way of life.
“Digital communications platforms enable online users in Australia to connect with family, friends and those with common interests, without regard for geographic distance. Although this has brought significant benefits, it can also serve as a vehicle for the widespread dissemination of misleading or false information that is seriously harmful to Australians.”
The bill is currently being considered by the Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee, where it will remain until November 25th.
