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Australia Scraps 'Orwellian' Misinformation Bill Amid Free Speech Concerns

Nov 24, 2024, 01:27 PM

The Australian government has withdrawn its proposed 'Misinformation and Disinformation Bill' after failing to secure support from non-Labor senators, Communications Minister Michelle Rowland confirmed. The bill, sometimes referred to as the "MAD Bill," aimed to compel social media platforms to combat the spread of false or misleading information online, granting the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) the power to impose fines of up to 5% of a company's global revenue. Critics labeled the legislation as "Orwellian" and a threat to free speech, leading to its abandonment—a decision celebrated by free speech advocates as a significant victory.