The ACMA welcomes the commencement of the first review into the voluntary Australian Code of Practice for Disinformation and Misinformation. DIGI has also released its first annual report on the operation of the code.
The ACMA proposed a number of changes to the code and associated reporting requirements in its first oversight report. These included moving from opt-in to opt-out code provisions, expanding the definition of harm, and including private group messaging services within the scope of the code.
We also stressed the need for a robust measurement framework to track platform and industry performance over time.
The ACMA strongly encourages DIGI to consider its findings and consult with a wide variety of stakeholders to develop the next version of the code.
The commencement of the review follows the publication of the code signatories' second annual transparency reports last week. The reports detail the global and Australia-specific measures that signatories have taken to address disinformation and misinformation on their services throughout 2021.
The ACMA is continuing to engage with DIGI, code signatories and other relevant parties on the operation and review of the voluntary code. This will include assessing signatories' second round of transparency reports, examining how signatories handle user complaints, and encouraging more platforms to sign up to the code.
In its 2021 report, the ACMA also recommended the need for reserve regulatory powers to bolster the self-regulatory scheme. These powers include information gathering and reserve code-making powers.
DIGI has released a discussion paper to inform the review. All interested stakeholders are strongly encouraged to engage with and make a submission to the review by 18 July 2022.
