Labor’s bill has successfully passed the House of Representatives, but is now set for a crucial showdown in the Senate.
Renowned American author and professor Michael Shellenberger has taken a stand against the Misinformation and Disinformation Bill proposed by Australia’s Albanese Labor government in Canberra. This legislation empowers the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to penalize social media companies for spreading “misinformation and disinformation” on their platforms. Concerns have been raised that the mere threat of fines could lead to widespread censorship by social media companies to avoid violating these regulations.
Shellenberger has strongly criticized the Bill, stating that it could be perceived as an attack on Australia’s ally, the United States. He emphasized the importance of protecting freedom of speech and warned against the potential consequences of such censorship laws.
The Bill’s definition of misinformation and disinformation includes content that is deemed false, misleading, or deceptive. It also covers a wide range of issues such as harm to public health, electoral integrity, vilification of societal groups, and threats to the economy and critical infrastructure.
Several senators, including Lidia Thorpe, have expressed opposition to the Bill in its current form, citing concerns about potential suppression of dissenting voices and the need to protect First Nations voices. They have called for major revisions to the legislation to safeguard digital rights and human rights in Australia.
Various senators from different parties, including the Greens and crossbenchers, have indicated their opposition to the Bill. The Liberal Party has also voiced strong disapproval, leaving the Labor government reliant on support from specific parties to pass the legislation.
In response to public feedback, the Labor government postponed the introduction of the Bill in 2023 after receiving thousands of submissions opposing the draft. The fate of the Misinformation and Disinformation Bill now rests on the decisions of the senators in the upcoming Senate showdown. Please rewrite this sentence.
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