Emma Crameri expresses her views of the Combatting Misinfomation and Disinformation Bill 2024 in this opinion piece about social media legislation.
While our attention was captivated by the American election, the Australian government decided to sneak in and fast-track the Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation Bill 2024.
This bill places our freedom of speech at risk and undermines the fundamental principles of democracy. It’s the sort of scary tactics that George Orwell warned about in his fictional books.
The bill is being sold as a way to prevent the spread of falsehoods that could harm public health, national security and the economy. This is broadly referred to as “misinformation”. It’s a term that gets thrown around falsely, often to a belief you may disagree with.
If the bill is passed, the government will be able to introduce fines, penalties and imprisonment.
What is covered?
The bill will cover social media platforms, including YouTube, and independent and mainstream media outlets. It will have huge ramifications for social media and technology companies.
Who is the authority?
How do we define what is misinformation? Who holds that authority? Who decides what information is correct and what is labelled as wrong?
Risks to Scientific Debate
There are huge risks to scientific debate. Often, we consider one way of thinking about a subject, until a scientific research paper comes along and disproves that original theory. A statement that may be deemed as “misinformation” may later turn out to be incorrect, incomplete or unproven.
Stifles Debate
I often change my mind about a topic, if someone talks to me and explains their point of view. Sometimes I just don’t have enough information to make a good decision or have thought about something from a different perspective. You can’t learn about a topic unless you can hear the pros and cons.
Propaganda and Censorship
This bill has the red flags of propaganda and censorship. These are tactics used by communist and totalitarian governments. I do not wish to live in a country where the government uses its political authority to exercise absolute and centralized control.
A government that seeks to silence dissent can no longer call itself a democracy.
Educate Your Citizens
Rather than shut down opposing views, it is better to educate people on alternatives. We need to teach people to think for themselves. In conversations with others, we need to ask probing questions:
• What’s the source of this information?
• Is this your personal belief or experience?
• What are the facts? Where’s the evidence?
• Have you considered a different point of view?
• Do you think this has been created with AI or a chatbot?
• Does this footage have the correct date stamp? Does it match the content?
Australians need to be able to evaluate information critically. When someone may be misinformed, gently guide them to the right path rather than making them feel like a fool or a criminal.
How can we educate people that something has been created with artificial intelligence? How can we inform people that a video uses a filter or visual effect?
More importantly, how can we reward content that is authentic and genuine?
Stop the Misinformation Bill
The Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation Bill 2024 must not pass as Australian legislation.
