This is an edited version of a post John Adams and I made on In The Interests Of The People, doing a deep dive into the arguments around the proposed Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation) Bill 2024 which on the 19 September 2024, the Senate referred to the Environment and Communications Legislation Committee for report by 25 November 2024.
You have JUST ONE Day! as submissions close on the 30 September 2024.
This bill would severely curtain unfettered free speech by putting onerous responsibilities on social media platforms across issues as wide as electoral, health, social and economic. In practice the Government will define “truth” and will essential silence alternative voices.
You have a limited opportunity to make your views know before 1984 type conditions arrive!
IOTP Edition here: https://youtu.be/R-m0ZITOVhQ
Contact details:
Committee Secretary
Senate Standing Committees on Environment and Communications
PO Box 6100
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Phone: +61 2 6277 3526
ec.sen@aph.gov.au
About this inquiry: The bill proposes to amend the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 and would make consequential amendments to other Acts to establish a new framework to safeguard against serious harms caused by misinformation or disinformation.
The bill would provide the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) with new regulatory powers to require digital communications platform providers to take steps to manage the risk that misinformation and disinformation on digital communications platforms poses in Australia. These would include obligations on providers to assess and report on risks relating to misinformation and disinformation, to publish their policy in relation to managing misinformation and disinformation, and develop and publish a media literacy plan.
The bill would also provide ACMA with new information gathering, record keeping, code registration and standard making powers to oversee digital communications platform providers.
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