Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

Vague demand for social media clampdown concerning

“The Prime Minister’s vague demand that social media companies remove content from their platforms is concerning”, according to ACT Leader David Seymour.

“Jacinda Ardern will fly off to a global meeting without consulting New Zealanders or appearing to know what her Government’s position is. What will she propose on our behalf?

“As with oil and gas and gun reform, the PM is more worried about a global audience than making good policy. She will make a grand gesture on the global stage without understanding any of the detailed implications of her public statements.

“Will every video that is uploaded to social media need to be vetted? Or will platforms need to change their algorithms and, in the process, remove legal content? The PM doesn’t appear to know and isn’t concerned if her demands are impractical.

“In any case, social media companies are already self-regulating. For example, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter are now removing 75 per cent of ‘hate speech’ within 24 hours.

“We can either allow companies to develop sophisticated AI tools to remove specific content, or governments can intervene, creating overzealous social media platforms that push illegal content into the dark corners of the web.

“Nevertheless, the Prime Minister’s call will be well-received at the G7, where member countries have already begun forcing social media companies to act as their censors.

German law requires social media companies to promptly remove illegal content or face massive fines of more than $80 million. UK lawmakers want to follow suit. Human Rights Watch has said German the law is “vague, overbroad, and turns private companies into overzealous censors to avoid steep fines.” The UN special rapporteur on freedom of expression said the law was at odds with international human rights standards.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

“Of course, there is no excuse for Facebook to continue to host footage of the Christchurch terrorist attacks. But even if this is a genuine attempt to fight terrorism, a global push to restrict online activity could set a dangerous precedent and be abused by governments seeking to censor other content.

“Indeed, this is already happening. We are starting to see a domino effect, with Singapore, the Philippines, Russia, Venezuela, Kenya, and the EU all demanding that social media companies remove content.

“We need to remain particularly vigilant when it comes to restrictions on freedom of expression. It is vitally important that we retain an open society in which free thought and open enquiry are encouraged. We cannot solve our most pressing problems if we are not able to try new ideas, discard those that don’t work, and look for better ones.

“That’s why the PM’s vague call for new restrictions on social media activity is so concerning.”

ends

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.