Opinion

Australia’s Misinformation Bill a Threat to Freedom of Speech and Public Discourse

The icons of mobile apps are seen on the screen of a smart phone in New Delhi, India, on May 26, 2021. Sajjad Hussain/AFP via Getty Images

Augusto Zimmermann

Ph.D.

9/5/2023|Updated: 9/5/2023

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Commentary

The Australian government has introduced a law proposal in Parliament to officially ban unapproved online content. The Communications Legislation Amendment (Combating Misinformation and Disinformation) Bill 2023 (pdf) creates a highly controlled internet that suspects every user of malicious activities. It allows the monitoring of information shared through private messaging applications.

Augusto Zimmermann

Ph.D.

Augusto Zimmermann, PhD, LLD, is a professor and head of law at Sheridan Institute of Higher Education in Perth. He is also president of the Western Australian Legal Theory Association and served as a commissioner with the Law Reform Commission of Western Australia from 2012 to 2017. Mr. Zimmermann has authored numerous books, including “Western Legal Theory: History, Concepts and Perspectives" and “Foundations of the Australian Legal System: History, Theory, and Practice.”

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