Is the Misinformation Code Spreading Lies?

A major review of Australia’s primary framework for tackling false information online has concluded the system is failing, sparking a fresh industry consultation about potential reforms. The Australian Code of Practice on Disinformation and Misinformation (ACPDM), established in 2021, is undergoing a formal assessment by the Digital Industry Group (Digi), an association representing major technology firms. While Digi describes the code as “foundational” to Australia’s policy response, a separate evaluation published by Reset Australia in May 2024 presents a starkly different picture, labeling the current approach a “complete failure.”

The Reset Australia report, titled “Functioning or failing?”, identified systemic problems across two critical areas. First, it found that platforms’ content moderation and advertising approval systems routinely fail to mitigate the risks of spreading misinformation. Second, it highlighted serious issues with oversight and transparency, noting “strong discrepancies” between what platforms report and what independent testing reveals. The report also determined that the official complaints process is ineffective at compelling platforms to resolve issues adequately.

Digi has released a discussion paper to guide its review, which it states will consider recommendations from the Australian Communications and Media Authority’s (ACMA) third report on digital platforms. The Reset Australia evaluation, however, is not mentioned in Digi’s consultation materials. The discussion paper outlines several key areas for potential reform. These include re-examining the code’s scope and improving transparency reporting to give the public more meaningful data. It also considers fostering a wider “eco-system approach” that involves entities beyond just digital platforms and explores ways to enhance the public complaints process for greater accountability. The role and composition of the code’s Administration sub-Committee is another point of discussion.

The Reset Australia report’s conclusions were unequivocal. It asserted that platform systems are not delivering on their promises to curb false information and that the code’s current oversight measures are insufficient. The report pointed out that misleading discrepancies in transparency reporting are technically permissible under the existing code, and the complaints mechanism lacks the power to force necessary corrective actions. Taken together, these findings led to the determination that the current governance approach in Australia has completely failed to mitigate the harms of misinformation and disinformation. The report included a series of recommendations for a substantial overhaul of the system.

(Source: ITWire Australia)