The Joint Select Committee on Social Media and Australia Society has tabled its second interim report.
The Committee, chaired by Federal Member for Newcastle, Sharon Claydon MP, has examined the decision of Meta to abandon deals under the News Media Bargaining Code, the important role of Australian journalism, news and public interest media in countering mis- and disinformation on digital platforms, and the influence and impacts of social media on Australian society.
This second interim report focusses on Meta’s decision, what this means for the consumption of news in Australia, and the impact of mis- and disinformation on our democracy and society.
The Committee received evidence indicating that the News Media Bargaining Code was effective in encouraging deals, but that further measures may be needed as social media companies evolve.
Participants raised concerns about Meta’s ability to sidestep designation under the Code by removing news from its platforms, and the impact of this to news media organisations, particularly small, local and independent publishers.
In their dissenting report, the Coalition have demonstrated how short-sighted they are. They are unable to admit to the Code’s shortcomings or work together on an effective way forward.
They are failing to acknowledge the need for regulation to combat seriously harmful misinformation and disinformation online, which the majority of Australians are concerned about and want action on.
The interim report has made eleven considered recommendations, which aim to address concerns raised during the inquiry about the News Media Bargaining Code and the sustainability of public interest journalism and digital media competency initiatives. These include:
- Exploring alternative revenue mechanisms to supplement the Code, and mechanisms and protocols to guide the fair and transparent distribution of such revenue,
- Establishing a short-term transition fund to help news media businesses to diversify and strengthen alternative income streams and news product offerings,
- Developing an appropriate mechanism and protocols to guide the fair and transparent distribution of revenue arising from any new revenue mechanisms.
- Establishing a Digital Media Competency Fund to enhance the digital media literacy of young Australians, and other vulnerable groups at risk of mis-and disinformation,
- Supporting legislation to combat mis and dis-information.
- Improving transparency around digital platforms' systems and processes, and
- Examining options to respond to the use of algorithms and recommender systems to deprecate news by digital platforms with significant power.
The inquiry’s final report is due to be tabled on or before 18 November 2024.
Quotes attributable to Committee Chair Sharon Claydon:
“Australians are concerned about the impact social media is having across many areas of the community, including access to accurate and reliable news content.
“This report highlights the urgent need for robust regulatory frameworks to protect Australians from the harmful effects of social media. This includes an effective regulatory regime to ensure companies contribute adequately, so that Australians can access high quality news content.
“We know that big tech is constantly evolving and that means governments must adapt with the changing needs.
“The Code is just one of the measures at our disposal to hold the big tech companies to account, and it’s disappointing that the coalition appear wedded to a set and forget approach which is never going to work in a constantly evolving digital world.
“It’s a shame the Coalition were not able to participate in this committee inquiry with the same degree of non-partisanship they enjoyed when the News Media Bargaining Code was first developed and passed by the Parliament when they were in Office.
“Through the remainder of the inquiry, the committee will maintain its strong view that we need to hold big tech companies to account and to have a legislative response to combat mis-and dis information.”
