[LINK] Combating Misinformation and Disinformation Bill 2024 (1st Reading)

[Stephen Loosley]

A new Act, and one public response ...

"Communications Legislation Amendment  (Combating Misinformation and Disinformation)  Bill 2024"

A Bill for an Act to amend the law relating to communications, and for related purposes

https://www.aph.gov.au/-/media/Senate/committee/Environment_and_Communications/MDI/Combatting_Misinformation_and_Disinformaton_Bill_-_First_Reading.pdf


Simplified outline of this Schedule

Some digital communications platform providers are subject to requirements in connection with misinformation and disinformation on digital communications platforms. These platforms must make specified information publicly accessible and must comply with any requirements in the digital platform rules in relation to the following:

(a) risk management;
(b) media literacy plans;
(c) complaints and dispute handling.

Schedule 1 Main amendments

1 The ACMA also has a graduated set of powers in relation to
2 misinformation and disinformation on some kinds of digital
3 communications platform.

4 The ACMA may make digital platform rules requiring digital
5 communications platform providers to keep records and report to
6 the ACMA on matters relating to misinformation and
7 disinformation on digital communications platforms. The ACMA
8 may obtain information and documents from digital
9 communications platform providers and others relating to those
10 matters. The ACMA may publish information relating to those
11 matters on its website.

12 Bodies or associations representing sections of the digital platform
13 industry may develop codes in relation to measures to prevent or
14 respond to misinformation and disinformation on digital
15 communications platforms. If the ACMA approves a
16 misinformation code, digital platform providers in the relevant
17 section of the digital platform industry must comply with the code
18 while it is in force.

19 Where there is no approved misinformation code in force, an
20 approved misinformation code that is in force is deficient or there
21 are exceptional and urgent circumstances, the ACMA may
22 determine a standard to provide adequate protection for the
23 Australian community from serious harm caused or contributed to
24 by misinformation or disinformation on digital communications
25 platforms. Digital communications platform providers are required
26 to comply with misinformation standards that apply to them.

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One Public Response:

https://madmustgo.com.au/index.php   (and also : https://alignedcouncilofaustralia.com.au/about-us/)

"Voices Under Threat."

In a free society, the right to express ideas and opinions without fear of government censorship is fundamental. The proposed Communications Legislation Amendment (Combating Misinformation and Disinformation) Bill 2024 (MAD Bill) risks stifling open dialogue and preventing Australians from accessing diverse viewpoints. We must protect the integrity of what we can say, what we can share, and what we choose to believe.


CENSORSHIP IS THE TOOL USED WHEN THE LIE LOSES ITS POWER.

The MAD Bill threatens to change the landscape of what we can say online by giving the government unprecedented authority to control what information is allowed to circulate online. But the government won’t police online comments itself, through its regulator ACMA it will have the digital platforms enforce censor online discourse through industry codes.

Under this MAD Bill, government-approved media outlets may continue to operate freely, while independent voices—journalists, commentators, and everyday Australians who question or challenge official narratives—will be silenced.

In a healthy democracy, diverse opinions and independent reporting are vital for holding power to account. The MAD Bill risks shutting down those who offer alternative perspectives or critical analysis, making space only for government-sanctioned 'truth.' When only approved voices are allowed to speak, the public loses access to the full picture—essential for informed decision-making.

The MAD Bill proposes heavy restrictions on platforms to police individuals deemed to be spreading so-called 'mis and dis-information': terms that have in this version of the MAD Bill been brought into closer alignment with industry and requires misinformation to be “reasonably verifiable as false, misleading or deceptive” but are still subjective and open to interpretation.

This leaves room for legitimate dissent to be swept aside, with the government, platforms and a select few media outlets determining what is acceptable discourse.

So just what kind of serious harm is the government aiming to protect you from:

Flak being directed to the operation or integrity of all branches of government
Grief being shown towards public health including public health measures
Questioning confidence in the banking system and financial markets

These definitions of serious harm read like the MAD Bill’s trying to protect the government from criticism. It is clear that the MAD Bill is a political tool to advance government objectives and quash dissent!

So where’s this all coming from? Globally there is enormous pressure to throttle information that questions the narrative. In the World Health Organisation’s 2024 International Health Regulations, Australia is required by 1 June 2025 to “develop, strengthen and maintain core capacities . . . in relation to . . . risk communication, including addressing misinformation and disinformation.” (Annex 1, A.2.c.(vi))

Where “addressing” means censoring and punishing those who have offered diverging opinions: cue the MAD Bill.

Other countries around the world have proposed similar MAD Bills.

We cannot afford to lose the independent voices that investigate, challenge, and report on issues that matter to Australians. Stand up for free speech, protect your online voices and defend your right to speak .. (con't)

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