Misinformation and disinformation spread via digital platform services is a major issue worldwide. The Australian Government has released the draft Communications Legislation Amendment (Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation) Bill 2023 to address this growing challenge.

The Bill would give the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) reserve powers to act, if industry efforts in regard to misinformation and disinformation are inadequate. 

The proposed powers would: 

• enable the ACMA to gather information from, or require digital platform providers to keep certain records about matters regarding misinformation and disinformation 
• enable the ACMA to request industry develop a code of practice covering measures to combat misinformation and disinformation on digital platforms, which the ACMA could register and enforce 
• allow the ACMA to create and enforce an industry standard (a stronger form of regulation), should a code of practice be deemed ineffective in combatting misinformation and disinformation on digital platforms.