After a clash with Government on how to pay for news, online platforms are willing to play ball on tackling disinformation
A self-regulatory Code: The Australian Code of Practice on Disinformation and Misinformation was developed by the Digital Industry Group (DIGI), the main industry body in the country which includes the likes of eBay, Facebook, Google, and Twitter. The Code is voluntary, and its implementation will be overseen by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) as part of the Government’s response to the 2019 Digital Platforms Inquiry.
What is Big Tech signing up to? Companies will implement measures to tackle disinformation on their platforms. Actions may include labelling false content, demoting the ranking of content, prioritising credible sources, suspension or disabling of accounts, and removal of content. The Code also includes some non-mandatory objectives, such as disrupting advertising and monetisation incentives for disinformation and helping consumers make better informed choices. The signatories will publish annual reports on the action they took.
A leaf out of the EU’s book: The Code is explicitly inspired by the European Commission’s Code of Practice on Disinformation, adopted in September 2018. Since its adoption, the EC’s Code has been widely recognised as an example to look at – though one that the European Commission itself thinks needs improvement. In the second annual review, the EC noted that the Code requires stronger commitments, clearer KPIs, and closer monitoring. So much so, that the EC plans to enhance it during Q2 of this year.
A more collaborative atmosphere after months of tension: Perhaps due to its self-regulatory approach, the Code was announced with a much more collaborative tone between industry and regulators compared to the recent News Media Bargaining Code, which requires the likes of Facebook and Google to negotiate remuneration with news providers. Google threatened to shut down its search service in the country as a result of this proposal, but ultimately caved in and struck deals with NewsCorp and other publishers. Facebook walked the talk and stopped its Australian users from sharing news on its main platform – although the company reversed its decision after the Government tweaked the proposal so that the rules may not apply if Facebook demonstrates it is signing enough deals with media outlets.
Source: https://www.acma.gov.au/articles/2021-02/digital-platforms-commit-action-disinformation
