Scott Morrison’s comments come amid a raging debate about defamation laws
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison . Picture: GETTY IMAGES/ROHAN THOMSON
The country’s highest court ruled in September that publishers can be held liable for public comments on online forums, a judgment that has pitted Facebook and news organisations against each other and spread alarm among all sectors that engage with the public via social media. “They should have to identify who they are, and the companies, if they’re not going to say who they are, well, they’re not a platform any more, they’re a publisher. You can expect us to be leaning further into this,” he added.
Since the court ruling, CNN, which is owned by AT&T, has blocked Australians from its Facebook pages, citing concern about defamation liability, while the Australian arm of British newspaper The Guardian says it has disabled comments below most articles posted to the platform. The review, which has been running through 2021, has published 36 submissions on its website, including one from Facebook that says it should not be held liable for defamatory comments since it has relatively little ability to monitor and remove content posted under publishers’ pages.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Mmatema G drops truths for expecting mothers: Don’t feel pressured by social mediaMmatema Gavu warns fans about social media
Read more »
DA catches heat on social media over 'racist' election posterANC provincial spokesperson Nhlakanipho Ntombela accused the DA of being opportunistic and lacking respect for the lives lost during the unrest.
Read more »
EDITORIAL: Beware despots in social media regulationAuthoritarian regimes have suppressed free speech and turned hate speech provisions into weapons
Read more »
Social welfare: Investment not debt, taxation and consumption - The Mail & GuardianA rebuttal to Colin Coleman’s remarks at the National Investment Dialogue suggests South Africa certainly has a debt problem
Read more »
Eastern Cape government wants explanation for R15-million sports facility - The Mail & GuardianOpposition leaders hit out at ANC over social media fracas, saying residents of Enoch Mgijima municipality deserve better - Eastern Cape government wants explanation for R15-million sports facility
Read more »
Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg lost almost $7billion as a result of downed serviceFacebook's Mark Zuckerberg lost almost $7billion as a result of downed service. facebook whatsapp
Read more »