One Nation Senator Malcolm Roberts has voiced his criticism of the ABC for maintaining its partnership with discredited fact checkers RMIT FactLab. During question time, Roberts questioned why the national broadcaster would continue its relationship with RMIT, citing his belief that the fact checker had shown bias and been influenced by foreign actors. Roberts alleged that RMIT FactLab had received grants from foreign governments and “shady organizations” with a vested interest in influencing Australian political debate.
Labor Senator Murray Watts responded to Roberts’ claims by treating them as a joke, expressing ignorance of the suggestions made by Roberts and jokingly implying that fact checking claims made by One Nation would take years. Roberts further questioned the government on their plans to implement bans on misinformation and disinformation, highlighting the lack of clear definitions for these terms. He suggested that biased and foreign influenced fact checkers would likely be responsible for determining what constitutes misinformation and disinformation.
Roberts also drew attention to the suspension of RMIT fact checkers by Facebook, citing accusations of bias in fact checking the Voice referendum and reports of lapsed accreditation. He questioned whether the government would abandon its “Orwellian misinformation and disinformation bill” in light of the fact checkers’ credibility being called into question.
In response, Senator Watts emphasized the government’s support for the ABC and recognized its important role as a national broadcaster.
The issue raised by Senator Roberts raises concerns about the integrity and impartiality of fact-checking organizations like RMIT FactLab. The reliance on such organizations by media outlets, including the ABC, highlights the importance of maintaining transparency and ensuring safeguards against bias and influence. As misinformation and disinformation continue to pose threats to public discourse and democratic processes, it is crucial that fact-checkers are held to the highest standards and their credibility is not compromised. The government’s role in defining and regulating these terms is also important to ensure clarity and consistency in addressing the spread of false information.
Ultimately, the partnership between the ABC and RMIT FactLab raises questions about the objectivity and independence of fact-checking practices in Australia. It is necessary for media organizations and the government to critically evaluate the credibility and effectiveness of these partnerships to ensure confidence in the information presented to the public.
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