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Today's Topics:
1. Combating Misinformation and Disinformation Bill 2024 (1st
Reading) (Stephen Loosley)
2. Re: Combating Misinformation and Disinformation Bill 2024
(1st Reading) (Marghanita da Cruz)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Sun, 10 Nov 2024 14:50:23 +1030
From: Stephen Loosley <[email protected]>
To: "link" <[email protected]>
Subject: [LINK] Combating Misinformation and Disinformation Bill 2024
(1st Reading)
Message-ID: <[email protected]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
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.
--
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)
--
------------------------------
Message: 2
Date: Sun, 10 Nov 2024 17:36:28 +1100
From: Marghanita da Cruz <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [LINK] Combating Misinformation and Disinformation Bill
2024 (1st Reading)
Message-ID: <[email protected]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
From UTS on? Monday 25 November 2024 6pm-7.30pm
Where:??? UTS Great Hall, Building 1, 1/15 Broadway, Ultimo NSW 2007
& Online (via Zoom)
> Faking It - Information Integrity, AI and the Law
>
> With the advent of generative AI, manipulation of information and data
> is taking a new turn. Deepfakes and AI generated and propagated
> misinformation and disinformation are proliferating online.
>
> These trends are already undermining the reliability of
> news,?disrupting elections, challenging democratic processes, and
> infringing rights globally. As automation rapidly expands the reach
> and scale of this phenomenon, policy and regulation are often held
> back by a lack of agreed principles and priorities.
>
> In the third episode of our?Global Game Changers series, we explore
> different dimensions of this problem and how we might go about
> tackling some of its more insidious effects.
>
> Event check in opens up from 5pm for a 6pm start.
More info and registration (for great hall and online) at
https://events.humanitix.com/uts-global-game-changers-episode-3
Marghanita
On 10/11/24 15:20, Stephen Loosley wrote:
> 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.
>
> --
>
> 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)
>
> --
>
> _______________________________________________
> Link mailing list
> [email protected]
> https://mailman.anu.edu.au/mailman/listinfo/link
--
Marghanita da Cruz
Telephone: 0414-869202
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://ramin.com.au
------------------------------
Subject: Digest Footer
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------------------------------
End of Link Digest, Vol 384, Issue 10
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