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Nick Coatsworth

A cure for disinformation that’s as bad as the disease

Well-meaning legislation to protect Australians from online lies could end up silencing legitimate public health questions as well.

I am deeply troubled by the ability of social media to amplify and disseminate false information. I am frustrated by the social media algorithms that send sections of our community down rabbit holes where the light of truth can’t penetrate. As the frontman for Australia’s COVID-19 vaccination campaign, I have had threats to my personal safety as a result.

Federation Square sits deserted during Melbourne’s second-wave lockdown in August 2020. Some groups faced serious harm from the lockdowns. Joe Armao

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Nick Coatsworth is a health reform advocate and doctoral scholar at the ANU School of Regulation and Governance.

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    Original URL: https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/a-cure-for-disinformation-that-s-as-bad-as-the-disease-20240930-p5keks