via rairfoundation:
The ambiguous definitions and unchecked powers granted by Australia’s proposed bill raise concerns about the erosion of diversity of opinions, stifling important discussions and scientific inquiry.
In a turn of events consistent with limits on freedom of speech across the Western world, Australia’s Federal Executive government (Albanese government) has proposed a bill that poses a direct threat to the cherished principles of free speech and individual liberties. This totalitarian and draconian legislation, named the Communications Legislation Amendment (Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation) Bill 2023, could transform Australia into a country reminiscent of communist China, stifling dissent and controlling information dissemination to enforce central government narratives.
It is described as a harmless-sounding bill to amend communication laws, but its true intentions are far from benign. The proposed legislation empowers the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), a government body, to unilaterally determine what is true or false online. Any content on social media platforms, including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, blogs, podcasts, and more, will be subject to scrutiny by the ACMA. Massive civil and criminal penalties can be imposed if deemed false or in violation of their codes of practice, including fines of up to half a million dollars.
This legislation will effectively silence every Australian citizen, eradicating their voice in the digital realm. It is supremely ironic that, while advocating for the voice of indigenous Australians to be heard, the Albanese Labour Government is on the brink of removing the voice of every Australian, regardless of their background or ethnicity. The bill grants excessive power to a handful of individuals within the ACMA, leaving the truth entirely at the mercy of whatever narrative is being enforced by the government at that time.