Last week, the Australian Government’s controversial misinformation bill was passed in the House of Representatives with the support of Labor and the Teals (with the exception of Teal Allegra Spender.
Apart from my submission (which is unlikely to be read) I've written to three independent senators (2 in Vic, 1 in WA) - probably should do more - but in my view this MAD Bill is only a cover for something far worse, from a structural viewpoint, given the Liberals, who are currently objecting could repeal the MAD Bill when returned to power.
I'm far more worried about the "Social Media Ban for the Under 16s". Both the ALP and LP are supporting it, so, it's going to be sent straight through, if there isn't a massive public outcry. They've been waiting until the Digital ID goes live on 1 December, and we know from senate estimates that they intend to have everyone facially scanned or digitally ID'd to go onto social media. I'm not even going to subject to the Misinformation Bill if I can't get on because I reject Digital ID.
People protesting the Digital ID (me) are going to be demonised for 'not doing their bit to protect the kids', and I suspect the Albanese and Dutton's concern for the Under 16s is going to last about the same length of time as that between Locking Down to Save Granny and The Vaccine Rollout that Killed Granny.
Digital ID allows for discriminations of all kinds.
Alexandra Marshall has done an excellent piece to camera on both the MAD bill and Under 16s. She realised that the lawmakers (typically over 30) are completely lacking in school age social media experience. They have no idea of the experience they're regulating. But the argument about whether a ban is good/bad for the U16s is peripheral & distraction to the big picture Digital ID intent. https://x.com/ellymelly/status/1856654087934410833
Sorry to take it off topic.
PS. Some other points made by Alexandra...
Who harmed business? Social Media or govt lockdowns?
Who destroyed faith in institutions? SM or health bureaucrats?
Who created & silenced vax victims? SM or govt?
Who assaulted citizens in street? SM or police?
Who severely harmed the health & wellbing of children? SM or govt?
The same could apply on "misinformation". Who's going to be supplying most of it? Social media or government?
Good points Madeleine but its nit just sicial media that will be subject to the MAD bill. What about community radio stations and smaller newspapers. They can redefine MSM any time they like too.
Good point, MAD operating outside social media (but not mainstream media which supposedly has legislation to keep them truthful so I don't know what's been going wrong there) is bad.
And Digital ID providing the means to track spending, limit movement, shut down accounts, monitor all statements for social credit and completely silence speech across all monitored platforms is pretty bad too.
There have been so many lies in the Main Stream Media (MSM), especially since Republicans won the vote in the USA. The ABC have also been under a lot of scrutiny lately. Decorated War Veteran, Heston Russel, recently sued the ABC successfully, and was awarded $400,000 after it was found that Mark Willacy's production team had manipulated footage of an air raid in Afghanistan, and the ABC were completely unapologetic!! I believe Main Stream Media is exempt from the Misinformation Bill, and yet they're as guilty as anyone. It almost seems as though the bill has been introduced to save the falling popularity and ratings of MSM. It is completely inverted!!!! Thanks Rebekah for your balanced reporting.... Respect!!
Frankly, the only hope to rid this forever is to vote out every Labor, Liberal, Green and Teal from parliament. Sadly, the ill-informed will vote for their own persecution.
Apart from my submission (which is unlikely to be read) I've written to three independent senators (2 in Vic, 1 in WA) - probably should do more - but in my view this MAD Bill is only a cover for something far worse, from a structural viewpoint, given the Liberals, who are currently objecting could repeal the MAD Bill when returned to power.
I'm far more worried about the "Social Media Ban for the Under 16s". Both the ALP and LP are supporting it, so, it's going to be sent straight through, if there isn't a massive public outcry. They've been waiting until the Digital ID goes live on 1 December, and we know from senate estimates that they intend to have everyone facially scanned or digitally ID'd to go onto social media. I'm not even going to subject to the Misinformation Bill if I can't get on because I reject Digital ID.
People protesting the Digital ID (me) are going to be demonised for 'not doing their bit to protect the kids', and I suspect the Albanese and Dutton's concern for the Under 16s is going to last about the same length of time as that between Locking Down to Save Granny and The Vaccine Rollout that Killed Granny.
Digital ID allows for discriminations of all kinds.
Alexandra Marshall has done an excellent piece to camera on both the MAD bill and Under 16s. She realised that the lawmakers (typically over 30) are completely lacking in school age social media experience. They have no idea of the experience they're regulating. But the argument about whether a ban is good/bad for the U16s is peripheral & distraction to the big picture Digital ID intent. https://x.com/ellymelly/status/1856654087934410833
Sorry to take it off topic.
PS. Some other points made by Alexandra...
Who harmed business? Social Media or govt lockdowns?
Who destroyed faith in institutions? SM or health bureaucrats?
Who created & silenced vax victims? SM or govt?
Who assaulted citizens in street? SM or police?
Who severely harmed the health & wellbing of children? SM or govt?
The same could apply on "misinformation". Who's going to be supplying most of it? Social media or government?
Good points Madeleine but its nit just sicial media that will be subject to the MAD bill. What about community radio stations and smaller newspapers. They can redefine MSM any time they like too.
The MAD bill only applies to digital services with interactive features. Radio and newspapers are covered under different legislation.
Good point, MAD operating outside social media (but not mainstream media which supposedly has legislation to keep them truthful so I don't know what's been going wrong there) is bad.
And Digital ID providing the means to track spending, limit movement, shut down accounts, monitor all statements for social credit and completely silence speech across all monitored platforms is pretty bad too.
We're in a difficult time.
Senators told 👍✅
Thank you Ian!
There have been so many lies in the Main Stream Media (MSM), especially since Republicans won the vote in the USA. The ABC have also been under a lot of scrutiny lately. Decorated War Veteran, Heston Russel, recently sued the ABC successfully, and was awarded $400,000 after it was found that Mark Willacy's production team had manipulated footage of an air raid in Afghanistan, and the ABC were completely unapologetic!! I believe Main Stream Media is exempt from the Misinformation Bill, and yet they're as guilty as anyone. It almost seems as though the bill has been introduced to save the falling popularity and ratings of MSM. It is completely inverted!!!! Thanks Rebekah for your balanced reporting.... Respect!!
Yes, MSM is covered under other legislation, which obviously doesn't work super well in terms of regulating mis- and disinfo.
Frankly, the only hope to rid this forever is to vote out every Labor, Liberal, Green and Teal from parliament. Sadly, the ill-informed will vote for their own persecution.
But if you vote them all out who will govern?
PHON, UAP, Family First. Plenty of other options.
It looks like it's dead, with Senator Lambie and Senator Payman coming out against it. Assuming everyone else follows their party-line vote.