Albanese Government must hold big tech accountable for misinformation poisoning Australia’s democracy
The Human Rights Law Centre will give evidence to the Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee today calling for the Albanese Government to strengthen their Communications Legislation Amendment (Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation) Bill 2024 with comprehensive, human-rights informed regulation that holds big tech accountable for the spread of harmful misinformation and disinformation.
Misinformation and disinformation is poisoning Australia’s democracy, distorting public debate, impacting people’s safety online and causing real world harm to people and communities.
The Albanese Government’s proposed legislation would maintain the status quo where harm is perpetuated online, while continuing to allow big tech platforms like Meta, X and TikTok to regulate themselves and dodge accountability, with no incentive to crack down on the harmful content that fuels their profits.
Quotes attributed to David Mejia-Canales, Senior Lawyer at the Human Rights Law Centre:
“Technology should bring communities together, not divide us for profit. But from vaccine lies, to hate speech, and political division – misinformation and disinformation is spreading like wildfire.
“The Albanese Government’s new disinformation law is supposed to fix this, but instead of reining in social media giants, it lets them police themselves.
“Big tech platforms have a history of dodging responsibility and no incentive to regulate themselves when they reap enormous profits from misinformation being amplified on their platforms.
“The Albanese Government’s proposal to ban children from social media will do nothing to address this harm, it’s a distraction from the disinformation that is infesting our newsfeeds.
“This is an opportunity for Australia to once again, lead the world in digital regulation with robust laws that hold big tech platforms accountable and force them to be transparent.
“We urge the Albanese Government to ensure there are strong human rights protections built into the bill, otherwise the law risks being toothless, and worse ineffective.”
The Human Rights Law Centre will appear before the inquiry at 9am, Monday 11 November. Watch the live stream here.
Read the Human Rights Law Centre’s submission to the inquiry.
Media contact:
Chandi Bates
Media and Communications Manager
Human Rights Law Centre
0430 277 254
chandi.bates@hrlc.org.au
Allan Government’s kneejerk law and order response will not make communities safer from racism and hate crimes
Every person has the right to practice their religion without fear of intimidation or vilification, and to be protected from acts of hate speech, racism and violence. Racist and antisemitic attacks, such as the horrific arson attack on East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation last weekend, should have no place in our community.
Read more
ADF whistleblower breaks fifteen year silence on sexual abuse cover-up amid calls for stronger whistleblower protections
Former RAAF airwoman Julia Delaforce represented by the Human Rights Law Centre, has broken her fifteen year silence on alleged wrongdoing and sexual abuse which was covered up by the Australian Defence Force.
Read more
Minns Government must repeal draconian anti-protest laws
The Human Rights Law Centre is reiterating calls for the Minns Government to repeal its draconian anti-protest laws, following the excessive use of force from NSW Police at a protest, resulting in one protester sustaining serious injuries.
Read moreACNC: 31 117 719 267 | Connect with the Human Rights Law Centre
Acknowledgement of Country
The Human Rights Law Centre acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands across Australia, including the lands of the Wurundjeri, Boon Wurrung, Gadigal, Ngunnawal, Cammeraygal, Darug, Wadawurrung, Turrbal and Jagera people where we work from.
We pay our respect to Elders past and present. This land always was, and always will be Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander land. Sovereignty has never been ceded.
WARNING: This site contains images or names of people who have passed away.