MISINFORMATION – AUSTRALIA

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.

CORPORATES
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

Indigenous voice adviser warns vote on knife edge as Liberals say referendum dead without conservatives

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Original article by Josh Butler
The Guardian Australia – Page: Online : 1-Mar-23

Ed Coper is a director of social change agency Populares and an expert on misinformation. He has warned that the proposed Indigenous Voice to parliament is "really susceptible to misinformation", given that many people now form their opinions based on information they read on social media. Coper argues that while social media companies have become better at removing disinformation, it has usually been widely disseminated by the time they are alerted to its presence on their platforms. Meanwhile, Liberal senator Andrew Bragg says the referendum is set to fail unless the pro-Voice campaign actively targets conservative voters. He notes that the campaign is largely focused on people who already intend to vote ‘yes’ in the referendum, but polls show that only 13 per cent of Liberal voters support the Voice.

CORPORATES
POPULARES, LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA