The Australian government is the country’s biggest spender on Facebook ads despite pushing misinformation laws that would see social media companies fined for seemingly harmful opinions.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s government remains a major Facebook customer, despite Labour’s Countering Misinformation and Misinformation Bill 2024 which proposes fines of up to 5 per cent of global revenue.
Under Labor’s proposed laws, social media companies face tough penalties if the Australian Communications and Media Authority has a problem with posts that interfere with elections or public health advice, or vilify groups of people for reasons of race, religion or gender identity.
Despite its misgivings about “serious damage” to social media, the federal government spent the most on Facebook ads in the 90 days through Nov. 11.
The Australian government topped the list by spending $388,711 on 92 Facebook ads, exercising in $4,225 per ad on average.
Also in ninth place is the Federal Department of Health and Aging, with $229,480 spent on 90 Facebook ads.
It was far from the only big spender in the Commonwealth: the Department of Social Services was in 29th place, shelling out $72,349 on 67 Facebook ads.
Beyond the last three months, the Australian government has historically spent heavily on Facebook ads for four years, starting in August 2020.
The Australian government is the country’s biggest spender on Facebook ads despite pushing misinformation laws that would see social media companies fined for harmful posts (pictured Prime Minister Anthony Albanese)
The Australian Electoral Commission came fifth on the list, spending $2,354,346 on 276 ads, despite the government being concerned that social media posts could cause “harm to the operation or integrity of an electoral process or referendum in Australia”.
After Greenpeace, the Australian Labor Party was the second largest spender on Facebook ads over four years, spending $3,079,270 on 5,513 ads.
The Yes23 campaign for Aboriginal Voice came seventh on the list, spending $2,310,770 on 10,222 ads, only to lose the October 2023 referendum in a landslide, with 60 per cent of Australians voting No.
Yes activist Megan Davis had accused the No side of disinforming and disinforming.
Over a four-year period, the Australian government ranked 12th, according to disclaimers, spending $1,507,764 on 352 ads.
The Department of Social Services, ranked 13th, spent $1,478,074 on 390 ads.
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland told the Sydney Institute this week that false information on social media platforms was a problem.
“You can’t be serious about online safety or democracy if your position on harmful misinformation and disinformation is to tolerate inaction,” he said.
Despite its misgivings about “serious harm” on social media, the federal government spent the most on Facebook ads in the 90 days through Nov. 11 (pictured, anti-vaccine protesters)
Labor Communications Minister Michelle Rowland told the Sydney Institute this week that false information on social media platforms was a problem.
The government argues that its bill only requires social media companies to keep records of misinformation and disinformation, rather than giving ACMA the direct power to remove online content.
‘“Parliament now has the opportunity to lift the hood on Big Tech and bring unprecedented transparency and accountability to the actions of digital platforms when it comes to seriously harmful online misinformation and disinformation,” said Ms. Rowland.
“These reforms would require digital platforms to have systems and processes in place to deal with seriously harmful information that is false, misleading or deceptive.”
Shadow communications minister David Coleman is opposed, with the opposition arguing Labour’s misinformation and misinformation bill is too subjective and will destroy freedom of expression.
“This is one of the worst bills brought forward by an Australian government,” he said.
‘It would have a chilling effect on freedom of expression. It would mean that government regulators would ultimately decide what can and can’t be said.
‘It is completely unacceptable in a democracy. It has no place in this country and that is why the Coalition will continue to oppose this legislation.’