Online disinformation is an industry that needs regulation, says boffin
- Reference: 1630044088
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2021/08/27/disinformation_is_an_industry/
- Source link:
"Trust in media is on the decline," said Tapsell, who further iterated that this trend was worldwide, but heightened in Southeast Asia and Malaysia. The researcher added that those who do not trust the media will turn to unofficial channels to seek out information and news.
Tapsell serves as the director of ANU's Malaysia Institute – one of the world's leading academic institutions for the study of Malaysia, established both to further an understanding of Malaysian studies and to foster relationships between Australia and Malaysia.
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Malaysia is considered at the forefront of digital media industry advancement and some studies say the country has the highest per-capita WhatsApp usage. With the high usage, and a cultural tendency to discuss public issues in digital realms, comes a trend of campaigning and marketing through WhatsApp and similar online platforms. And with such operations comes negative campaigning that often falls into the category of misinformation and disinformation.
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In 2018, Malaysia introduced an anti-fake news bill, the first of its kind in the world. According to the law, those publishing or circulating misleading information could spend up to six years in prison.
The law put online service providers on the hook for third-party content and anyone could make an accusation. This is problematic as fake news is often not concrete or definable, existing in an ever-changing grey area. Any fake news regulation brings a whole host of freedom of speech issues with it and raises questions as to how the law might be used nefariously – for example to silence political opponents.
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Tapsell described problems he saw with the bill from the ground level in Malaysia, including citizens threatening others online with police action and a deterioration of public discourse.
The law was repealed in 2019 after becoming seen as an instrument to suppress political opponents rather than protecting Malaysians from harmful information. But early in 2021 Malaysia used emergency powers to again make spreading fake news about COVID-19 an offence punishable with fines of up to RM100,000 (US$23,800) and possible imprisonment.
Having seen this all play out before, Tapsell argued that disinformation should not be treated as an illegal act, but rather an industry – with players having their own motives, entrepreneurial or otherwise. And like any industry, it should be regulated.
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"Rather than adopting the common narrative of social media 'weaponisation', I will argue that the challenges of a contemporary 'infodemic' are part of a growing digital media industry and rapidly shifting information society," wrote Tapsell in the [6]description of his seminar.
But how to regulate such a thing? The ANU researcher said solutions are not found in laws and increased police intervention, but rather "through creating and developing a robust, critical and trustworthy digital media landscape".
One example would be within the electoral process, where watchdog agencies have taken over roles of digital campaigns during election periods. Tapsell called on such efforts to be more properly funded in the same way TV ads are regulated.
[7]Malaysian Police crush crypto-mining kit to punish electricity thieves
[8]Microsoft pledges Malaysian Azure region after winning government cloud gig
[9]Facebook takes bold stance on privacy – of its ads: Independent transparency research blocked
As for Big Tech's role in calling out fake news, Tapsell believes as an entity it could be more effective than other existing sources.
"It's not a bad thing to name and shame bad actors, and it's a good thing Facebook is starting to do these things," said the boffin. He explained that while local journalists and researchers could be retaliated against for exposing fake news purveyors, it was harder to retaliate against a large company and platform, and therefore safer for Big Tech to take on the role.
He recognized the efforts social media platforms make in identifying and stopping coordinated behavior, and working to make such actions less lucrative, but felt there was still more to do.
"They still rely too much on independent researchers in the field to expose these," said Tapsell. "It's not our job to do this – it's the job of the big companies in Silicon Valley." ®
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[6] https://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/cap-events/2021-08-26/disinformation-malaysia-cybertroopers-anti-fake-news-laws
[7] https://www.theregister.com/2021/07/19/malaysian_police_crush_crytpomining_compiuters_with_steamroller/
[8] https://www.theregister.com/2021/04/20/azure_malaysia_promised/
[9] https://www.theregister.com/2021/08/04/facebook_research_lockdown/
[10] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
Re: Interesting concept
But what do you do when EVERYTHING, even recommendations from the medical community, have become political?
I imagine some people would read the above sentence and think it has a political slant, and therefore deserve such a warning. If everything you say is required to have a disclaimer, then such content warnings become worthless. Its like putting the green padlock on HTTPS sites. When almost every site is HTTPS, it is meaningless especially if people think that means more than it really does.
There are objective facts, like the Earth is a sphere not a flat plate. There are consensus opinions of the overwhelming majority of experts, like covid-19 vaccines are safe and effective and necessary to reach herd immunity and get the pandemic under control. There are political opinions with no "right" answer, like the best way to improve the economy, reduce crime, etc. These are at three different levels, and should be treated differently.
It's The Sun Wot Won It
Just make it illegal for the press to tell lies instead of relying on expensive libel laws. So when the Express runs the headline "Stubborn Macron demands EU orders UK to accept hated fishing deal" the editor either has to have proof that Macron made such demands. If it turns out that he's simply pointed out that all parties have to abide by the agreement that was made, then the editor of the Express goes to jail for a few months.
There would, of course, have to be a parody exception for the Reg's Super Cali......... headlines.
You cannot tackle fake news by laws but by education.
@Potemkine!: Years ago I would have agreed with you, but now I really struggle with what's happening today and why. There are some very well educated people who are ardently anti-vaccine or believe that Trump won or that the Earth is flat. I think that the problem today is that the concept of an expert has all-but disappeared. I don't need an expert for anything today because I can educate myself - i.e. go online and watch a few vids and I'm set.
In my parents' times there were experts and trusted sources and they were listened to, respected, believed - obeyed even. I think that in the UK certainly there's been an element of democratization that has changed things for the worse. People used to sort of know their place - there was a concept of authority - police, doctors, teachers, the BBC, and people respected and trusted them. Now that's been diluted and, today, 7+ years of medical training is given the same credence as 20 minutes watching videos and reading Wikipedia and Facebook. Maybe the problem is that knowledge had been democratized but understanding hasn't - we've all become dilettantes.
Interesting concept
Sounds like it will end up with every political post coming with a content warning, which won't be a bad idea.