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The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) will be given more authority to combat the growing spread of misinformation and disinformation on social media.
A federal government initiative to increase transparency surrounding big platforms’ attempts to counteract misinformation will grant the media watchdog information-gathering and record-keeping powers.
Additionally, it will establish a legally binding industry code to take the place of the voluntary code platforms have agreed to.
The authority would be comparable to that which the watchdog previously possessed to oversee telecommunications and broadcasting services, according to Communications Minister Michelle Rowland.
“It is a co-regulatory structure that is well established in Australia and has served consumers well … the government considers it’s high time we had a similar system applying in the online space,” Rowland told ABC TV.
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“The key here always is about keeping Australians safe and we know unfortunately misinformation has the potential to cause great harms, including harms to social order and threats to our democracy.”
The emphasis will be on systemic problems across platforms rather than specific posters.
According to Rowland, the safety of Australians required more from social media behemoths like Twitter and Facebook than a voluntary code.
“The technologies employed by the digital platforms are varied. “They include artificial intelligence, consumer complaints but again, we need to make sure that all of those elements are working properly.” she said.
“It’s time we empower the regulator to ensure the platforms do what they say they’re going to do under this code.”
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Jaw de Guzman is the content producer for Comms Room, a knowledge platform and website aimed at assisting the communications industry and its professionals.
