The Australian Government is looking to introduce a new bill that will restrict misinformation and disinformation on digital platforms causing a debate not only in Australia but around the world.
The Bill seeks to limit misinformation and disinformation on digital platforms that may cause “serious harm”, to the community, health systems, the state, and the economy.
According to the Bill, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) will be given “new powers and introduce new obligations on digital platforms to increase their transparency” and show how they handle “misinformation and disinformation on their services.”
The ACMA would seek to regulate online content that spreads “misinformation or disinformation”.
This proposed bill has come under fire by many including the Shadow Minister for Communications David Coleman who says the bill is an attack on free speech.
“We believe that this Bill is inconsistent with the principles of our democracy, and people should be free to state their opinions, even if those opinions are controversial”
“Even if opinions are unfashionable, part of what we do in a democracy is we debate ideas, and this Bill will significantly limit the ability of Australians to do that.
Digital platforms, Coleman said, will “err on the side of deleting more materials so that they don’t run the risk of those big fines.”
Photo Credit: The Guardian
