Government Probed on Why ‘Hidden’ Power to Investigate Misinformation Not Revealed Earlier

Government officials have faced questions about the extent of power Australia’s communications minister will have to investigate misinformation and disinformation. During a Senate Estimates hearing on Feb. 13, Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson raised concerns about a letter from federal Communications Minister Michelle Rowland to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on June 1, 2023. The letter said the draft of the impending Misinformation Bill would give the presiding minister the power to direct the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to conduct investigations into misinformation and disinformation. Under the bill, the ACMA would be granted enhanced powers to regulate what it deems to be misinformation and disinformation, including compelling social media platforms to maintain extensive records of content posted online, creating and enforcing an industry standard and a code of practice concerning misinformation and disinformation....