The advent of new governmental legislation, designed to enhance the authority of Australia's media watchdog, entails severe financial ramifications for online platforms engaged in the dissemination of misleading information.
Online platforms that engage in the dissemination of misinformation may be subjected to financial penalties amounting to millions of dollars.
Australia to Fine Social Media Firms Over Fake News
Proposed government legislation in Australia seeks to equip the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) with the authority to mandate digital platforms to maintain specific records pertaining to misinformation and disinformation. These records would be subject to submission upon request by the ACMA.
According to Communications Minister Michelle Rowland, this provision would enable the regulator to gain insights into the inner workings of these platforms and evaluate the measures implemented to ensure compliance.
“The Albanese government is committed to keeping Australians safe online, and that includes ensuring the ACMA has the powers it needs to hold digital platforms to account for misinformation and disinformation on their services,” said communications minister Michelle Rowland, according to The Age.
Furthermore, the ACMA would have the capacity to call upon the industry to formulate a "code of practice" that encompasses strategies aimed at combating misinformation. Violations of this code could incur penalties amounting to either $2.75 million or 2 percent of global turnover, depending on which amount is greater.
Additionally, the ACMA would possess the authority to establish and enforce its own industry standard. Breaching these standards could result in companies being liable to pay penalties of up to $6.8 million or 5 percent of their global turnover.
Proposed Australian Law Raises Concerns over Freedom of Speech
Proposed Australian law raises concerns over freedom of speech as Shadow Minister for Communications David Coleman highlights the need to avoid government overreach in regulating misinformation and disinformation.
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland reassures that the government aims to prioritize online safety without stifling freedom of speech. The new powers would extend to social media platforms, news-aggregators, and podcasts, while professional news content would be exempt.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has engaged in consultations with social media giants during the drafting process. Public consultations on the bill commenced on the day of this statement and will close on August 6. The Communications Legislation Amendment (Combating Misinformation and Disinformation) Bill 2023 is currently in the public consultation stage.
Misinformation vs. Disinformation
According to the draft bill, misinformation is characterized as content that is unintentionally false or deceptive, while disinformation refers to intentionally spreading false information with the purpose of causing harm.
The pervasive dissemination of misinformation and disinformation has hindered our capacity to enhance public health, tackle climate change, uphold a resilient democracy, and address various other critical issues.
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