In the battle against online misinformation, it seems that the Australian government is taking an authoritarian approach. The government plans to give the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) the power to force social media platforms to tackle alleged misinformation. However, this raises questions about what is considered harmful or misleading information. Many reasonable people may disagree with the government’s claims about the safety and effectiveness of mRNA vaccines, for example.
It is not surprising that the opposition leaders in Australia are also supportive of cracking down on social media platforms. In the past, the Coalition government sought cyber censorship of COVID-related content, effectively silencing voices that questioned vaccines, lockdowns, and mandatory vaccination. This treatment of concerns about vaccine safety as domestic terrorism is concerning.
Australia’s Communications Minister Michelle Rowlands admits that the government is determined to combat misinformation online. The enforcer of compliance with the minister’s directives is the eSafety commissioner, an unelected bureaucrat. The commissioner recently ordered X (formerly Twitter) to remove material depicting gratuitous or offensive violence. However, X has rejected these demands, accusing the online watchdog of censorship.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has supported the eSafety commissioner in this feud, claiming that she is protecting the interests of Australians. The commissioner herself has spoken about the need to recalibrate human rights online, from freedom of speech to freedom from online violence.
The Australian government has been seeking global support to pressure social media platforms into compliance. They have been talking to countries like Canada, Spain, the EU, and the UK to form a global consortium. The first step was signing a memorandum of understanding with the UK concerning online safety and security. However, this MOU explicitly mentions countering misinformation and disinformation as a threat to democracy and social cohesion. This is an Orwellian use of language, as free speech is not a threat to democracy but a core principle of every true democracy.
It seems that the ruling classes want to reduce any threat to their official information. This trend towards authoritarianism is concerning, as it undermines people’s fundamental legal rights. Protecting free speech is crucial in giving a voice to the powerless against the more powerful.
Overall, the battle against online misinformation in Australia raises important questions about the balance between free speech and government control. The government’s attempts to silence dissenting views and control the narrative are alarming. It is essential to protect free speech as a fundamental pillar of democracy and ensure that diverse perspectives can be heard.
