Press Release

Misinformation and Disinformation Regulation: Unnecessary, Unjust and Unworkable

The FSU is a non-partisan organisation established in order to promote the fundamental human right of Freedom of Speech within Australia. We defend, protect and promote the Free Speech rights of all Australians irrespective of the content of the speech.

The FSU strongly objects to the passing of the Communications Legislation Amendment (Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation) Bill 2023 (the Bill) into law, primarily due to the impact it will have upon Free Speech by encouraging censorship and by impeding innovation in the online media space.

We recommend that the attempt to regulate misinformation and disinformation is abandoned in its entirety, but at a minimum this Bill should be amended as follows:

1. The regulation of misinformation should be removed so that unintended sharing of false information is not captured;
2. The exemptions for media and government sources should be removed;
3. Exemptions that allow individuals to engage in good faith debate and discussion should be introduced; and
4. A threshold test should be introduced so that new entrants in the media market are not unduly burdened with this regulation.

Please see our full response to this consultation below.

[Full response (PDF)]