DISINFORMATION – AUSTRALIA

Warning to Aussies over new Russian weapon

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Original article by James King
Herald Sun – Page: Online : 15-Oct-25

The US Studies Centre will host a forum on Russian disinformation and foreign influence campaigns in Sydney on Thursday. The speakers include Ukraine’s ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko; he will warn that Russia is targeting Australia with fake narratives that it could ‘weaponise’ against local communities in the event of conflict. He will emphasise the need to counter such disinformation before it spreads and becomes "too powerful". Former Ukrainian diplomat Natalia Solieva will in turn argue that unlike war on a battlefield, disinformation has no geographical borders, and it can emerge during elections or when society is most divided and vulnerable.

CORPORATES
UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY. UNITED STATES STUDIES CENTRE

Social media laws could stymie valid debates on policy

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Original article by Ronald Mizen
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 3 : 1-Oct-24

Nick Coatsworth has expressed concern regarding the definitions of "serious harm", "misinformation" and "disinformation" in the federal government’s proposed legislation aimed at clamping down on misinformation and disinformation being spread on social media. The former deputy chief medical officer contends that the laws could be used to stifle public health debate, with Coatsworth citing debate during the COVID-19 pandemic as an example. The Opposition supports a crackdown on misinformation and disinformation online, but shadow treasurer Angus Taylor claims that the government has the balance wrong. Communications Minister Michelle Rowlands says that doing nothing is not an option, while Treasurer Jim Chalmers has accused the Coalition of "running a protection racket" for big technology companies.

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AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF INFRASTRUCTURE, TRANSPORT, REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNICATIONS AND THE ARTS, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE TREASURY

‘Dangerous and Orwellian’: Tech giants, lawyers warn on Labor bill

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Original article by Rhian Deutrom, Sarah Ison
The Australian – Page: 1 & 5 : 12-Jul-23

The federal government continues to attract scrutiny over proposed laws targeting online misinformation and disinformation. Josh Machin of Facebook’s parent Meta has told a parliamentary committee that the digital giant is concerned that the additional powers given to the Australian Communications & Media Authority could potentially be abused, or used in a way that inadvertently ‘chills’ free and legitimate political expression online. Liberal senator James Paterson contends that censorship is not the answer to addressing online misinformation. Paterson and some of his Coalition colleagues have previously expressed concern about the ‘Orwellian’ nature of the proposed misinformation laws.

CORPORATES
META PLATFORMS INCORPORATED, FACEBOOK, AUSTRALIAN COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA AUTHORITY, LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA