As the waters of misinformation and disinformation rise, the continuing existence of the ABC as a trusted source of the truth will help save our democracy from the populist damage going on elsewhere

Kim Williams, ABC Chair, National Press Club, 27 November 2024

ABC Chair Kim Williams AM has been making a powerful case for the ABC as Australia’s first line of defence against misinformation and disinformation. The shelving in late November of the Government’s disinformation legislation [1] creates an opportunity for this message to be pressed even harder.

The community is very concerned about disinformation. Research by the News and Media Research Centre at the University of Canberra shows concern within the Australian community has risen to 75 percent, well above the global average. [2]

And Australians want government to act. The Australian Media Literacy Alliance report on Adult Media Literacy released in August 2024 highlights that 80 percent of Australians want the spread of misinformation in Australia to be addressed. [3]

But the Government’s proposed bans on online disinformation generated significant community unease, including because of their perceived impacts on freedom of expression. For many, the proposed legislation was seen as a blunt, and likely not very effective, instrument that might cause more harm than good.

Disinformation is perhaps best addressed by making good, trusted information readily accessible to all Australians – a core role for the ABC. With the withdrawal of its Disinformation Bill, will the Government now look to the ABC and make a strategic investment so it can be a key player in the battle against disinformation?

Submissions made by key Commonwealth Government departments on the Disinformation Bill [4] provide insights into the thinking within government on the risks of disinformation – and the potential for the ABC to be part of the solution.

Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and Arts

The rapid spread of seriously harmful misinformation and disinformation poses a significant challenge to the functioning of societies around the world. Democratic countries like Australia rely on the free flow of information to inform public debate, and the integrity, diversity and reliability of information is fundamental to our democratic way of life.

Department of Home Affairs

Access to credible, accurate, and trusted information is a core underpinning of strong democratic societies.

In July 2024, the Strengthening Democracy Taskforce within the Department released a report entitled Strengthening Australian democracy: a practical agenda for democratic resilience, which identifies mis- and disinformation as part of a new constellation of challenges facing Australia’s democracy which threaten three sources of strength that have historically sustained Australian democracy: trusted institutions, credible information, and social inclusion.

The report identifies a range of initiatives that could counter the anti-democratising impacts of harmful mis and disinformation including direct regulation, such as the European Union’s Digital Services Act, as well as initiatives that support the flow of credible information including investments in public interest journalism, media literacy and critical thinking programs, and fact checking services. [my emphasis]

Establishing ABC News Verify to investigate, trace and debunk misinformation online and in the media was an important first step. [5]

But we need the ABC to do more and reach more Australians. And the Government needs to invest in the ABC to make this possible.

Sarah Stephen,
Secretary ABC Friends Victoria

Editor’s note: ABC Friends is one of a number of organisations whose representatives meet regularly to exchange information and insights to assist coordination of the campaign to combat disinformation. For more information contact the Australian Democracy Network

[1] Communications Legislation Amendment (Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation) Bill 2024 

[2] Sora Park et al, Digital News Report: Australia 2024 (University of Canberra, June 2024) 43.

[3] Tanya Notley et al, Adult Media Literacy in 2024: Australian Attitudes, Experiences and Needs (Australian Media Literacy Alliance, August 2024).

[4] https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Environment_and_Communications/MisandDisinfobill/Submissions

[5] https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-07-11/contact-abc-news-verify/104057380