There’s an urgent need for robust regulatory frameworks to protect Australians from the harmful effects of social media.

That’s the opinion of Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon, who’s chairing the Joint Select Committee on Social Media and Australian Society in Parliament, which tabled its second interim report this week.

The working group has examined the decision of Meta to abandon deals under the News Media Bargaining Code and the important role of Australian journalism, news and public interest media in countering mis- and disinformation on digital platforms.

It also looked at the influence and impacts of social media on society.

The second report, however, focused on the ruling of the Mark Zuckerberg platform, what it means for the consumption of news in Australia, and the effect of mis- and disinformation on our democracy.

“Everyone’s concerned about the impact social media is having across many areas of the community, including access to accurate and reliable news content,” Ms Claydon said.

“This report indicates we require an effective regulatory regime to ensure companies, such as Meta, contribute adequately to the process.

“That means governments must adapt with the changing needs.

“That way Australians can access high-quality news content.”

The committee received evidence indicating the News Media Bargaining Code was effective in encouraging deals, but that further measures may be needed as social media companies evolve.

Participants raised concerns about Meta’s ability to sidestep designation under the regulation by removing news from its platforms, and the impact of this to media organisations, particularly small, local and independent publishers.

The interim report made 11 considered recommendations, including:

• Exploring alternative revenue mechanisms to supplement the Code, and mechanisms and protocols to guide the fair and transparent distribution of such revenue;
• Establishing a short-term transition fund to help news media businesses to diversify and strengthen alternative income streams and news product offerings;
• Developing an appropriate mechanism and protocols to guide the fair and transparent distribution of revenue arising from any new revenue mechanisms;
• Establishing a Digital Media Competency Fund to enhance the digital media literacy of young Australians, and other vulnerable groups at risk of mis-and disinformation;
• Supporting legislation to combat mis and dis-information;
• Improving transparency around digital platforms’ systems and processes; and
• Examining options to respond to the use of algorithms and recommender systems to deprecate news by digital platforms with significant power.

“The Code is just one of the measures at our disposal to hold the big tech companies to account,” Ms Claydon said.

“So, it’s disappointing the Coalition appears wedded to a set and forget approach, which is never going to work in a constantly evolving digital world.

“It is a shame they were not able to participate in this committee inquiry with the same degree of non-partisanship they enjoyed when the News Media Bargaining Code was first developed and passed by the Parliament when they were in office.

“In its dissenting report, the Coalition has demonstrated how short-sighted it is.

“They are unable to admit to the Code’s shortcomings or work together on an effective way forward.

“Through the remainder of the inquiry, the committee will maintain its strong view that we need to hold big tech companies to account and to have a legislative response to combat mis-and dis information.”

The inquiry’s final report is due to be tabled on or before 18 November.

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