The Australian government is considering passing legislation that would impose fines on online platforms that spread misinformation and disinformation, but would not fine mainstream news organisations for spreading similar content.
The government has vowed to require platforms to set out a code of conduct outlining how they will stop the spread of dangerous false information, but this will require regulatory approval.
If platforms don't set their own guidelines, regulators will have to enforce their own and fine platforms for non-compliance.
Violations such as failing to prevent the spread of material condemned by the government could carry fines of up to 5% of a company's global revenue.
“Misinformation and disinformation pose a serious threat to the safety and wellbeing of Australians.”
According to ReutersProhibited topics include content that allegedly undermines election integrity or public health, calls to denounce groups, legally harms (degrades) individuals, and statements that allegedly disrupt key infrastructure or emergency services — the latter of which would likely already be a crime.
“Misinformation and disinformation pose a serious threat to the safety and wellbeing of Australians, as well as to our democracy, society and economy,” Australian Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said.
She added that “leaving this issue alone without doing anything is not an option.”
Political commentator Lewis Blackpool said the policy was at odds with “the once great principles of the Western world”.
“Western governments are controlled by an ideological class of NGOs, lobbyists and activists who not only seek to censor the speech of their citizens but also promote the destruction of the West for their own twisted utopian system,” Blackpool told Blaze News.
Blackpool pointed to the recent ban of Elon Musk's Twitter account “X” in Brazil, saying the company had sought to impose a similar fine for failing to comply with the removal of false information.
Blackpool added: “There's a dark corner that globalists and politicians are watching. Following the X ban in Brazil, authoritarian Western governments around the world are emulating the trend.”
The Australian government claims there is an overwhelming demand to crack down on misinformation, citing an Australian Media Literature Alliance poll which found 80% of respondents wanted to tackle the spread of misinformation.
The communications minister said the bill would include protections for specialized news, mirroring past moves by social media platforms. Sites such as YouTube and Facebook have previously used their algorithms to downgrade independent media by labelling certain news outlets as trustworthy sources.
The proposed law is said to also protect religious and artistic content.
When Musk heard about the bill, he had a simple response, calling the Australian government “fascist.” X.
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