ACMA welcomes new powers to help fight online misinformation and disinformation

Social media giants face tougher rules on the spread of misinformation and disinformation on their platforms under new powers granted to the nation’s media regulator.

Australian Communications and Media Authority chair Nerida O'Loughlin. Picture: Twitter.

The chair of the media regulator says new powers to force digital ­giants to be more accountable for the spread of misinformation and disinformation is a significant step for the media ­industry.

The federal government ­announced on Friday the Australian Communications and Media Authority would be given powers to undertake information gathering and record keeping in a bid to curb the dissemination of dangerous content online.

“The ACMA welcomes this ­announcement as a significant step forward in combating harmful online misinformation and disinformation in Australia,” ACMA chair Nerida O’Loughlin said.

“The ACMA encourages all interested parties to participate in the consultation process and will continue to monitor digital platforms’ compliance with the voluntary code during the consultation.”

Online misinformation is ­defined as false and inaccurate information that can pose a risk to the health and safety of individuals, while disinformation is deliberately false and designed to mislead.

The regulator has been given powers to register an enforceable industry code and to make a standard if self-regulation measures end up being insufficient.

Social media platforms that will be impacted by the powers include Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat and TikTok.

The powers were one of the key recommendations in the ACMA’s 2021 report to the previous government about the adequacy of ­social media platforms handling problematic information online.

Communications Minister ­Michelle Rowland said misinformation and disinformation continued to pose “a threat to the safety and wellbeing of Australians”.

The government plans to allow public consultation on the powers which will be released in a draft Bill in the first half of this year and legislation will be introduced into parliament at a later date.