Musk Reaffirms ‘Fascist’ Label for Australian Government Amid Misinformation Crackdown
Billionaire Elon Musk responded to the Australian prime minister and reiterated the “fascist” label in relation to a proposed crackdown on misinformation.
According to the misinformation bill, Labor aims to strengthen the powers of the communications watchdog to monitor and regulate content on digital platforms.
Under the proposed laws of the Commonwealth, social media companies could face fines of up to 5% of their annual turnover.
Musk, the owner of social media platform X, responded to a post about Australia’s measures with the term “fascists.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized that social media companies have a social responsibility. “If Mr. Musk fails to understand this, it reflects more on him than on my government,” he stated on Sept. 15.
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According to the legislation, the media regulator could approve an enforceable industry code of conduct or set standards for social media companies if self-regulation proves ineffective.
A survey conducted by three universities revealed that the majority of Australians desire more measures to combat the dissemination of harmful misinformation online.
Opposition communications spokesperson David Coleman refrained from using the “fascists” label. “I wouldn’t use those words… I would say contemptuous of free speech,” Coleman stated on Sky News on Sunday.
He expressed concerns about the definition of intentionally misleading and harmful content.
