Australian dissent journalist Rebekah Barnett, has done great work exposing the existential threat to the existence of organisations such as us, by the proposed Australian federal government laws to crack down on misinformation and disinformation. The laws will give expanded power to the already adequately powered Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), to “combat misinformation and disinformation,” which ACMA says poses a “threat to the safety and wellbeing of Australians, as well as to our democracy, society and economy.” ACMA will have the power to devise and enforce digital codes, using infringement notices, remedial directions, injunctions and civil penalties, with fines of up to $550,000 (individuals) and $2.75 million (corporations).
And who decides what counts as information, misinformation, and disinformation? Why, the government agencies of course, not the conversation of mankind. We will be told what is true, just as we are told that face masks prevent the transmission of the Covid virus. And, the definition given about is so broad as to include anything one would care to discuss, for what does not impact upon welfare?