New legislation has been created to address harmful misinformation and disinformation on digital platforms. 

The Communications Legislation Amendment (Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation) Bill 2024 will grant the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) enhanced powers to oversee and regulate the handling of misinformation by digital platforms. 

This move comes after a period of public consultation and is part of a broader government effort to safeguard public health, safety, and the integrity of Australia’s democratic institutions.

The proposed legislation targets what the government characterises as “the most seriously harmful” content online. 

According to the Australian Media Literacy Alliance, 80 per cent of Australians believe that misinformation on social media must be addressed.

“Misinformation and disinformation pose a serious threat to the safety and wellbeing of Australians, as well as to our democracy, society and economy. Doing nothing and allowing this problem to fester is not an option,” says Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland.

Under the Bill, digital platforms will face new obligations to increase transparency regarding how they manage misinformation and disinformation. 

The ACMA will be empowered to introduce enforceable industry codes or set standards if voluntary self-regulation by the platforms is deemed inadequate. 

However, the ACMA will not have the power to directly remove content or ban user accounts; these responsibilities will remain with the platforms themselves, operating under their own terms of service.

The government says that the Bill strikes a balance between combatting harmful content and protecting freedom of speech. 

Rowland says that revisions to the Bill, based on stakeholder feedback, aim to protect freedom of expression while addressing the risks posed by false information.

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