Turbulence, on- and offline

As the decades-long conflict between Israel and Hamas enters a new phase, there has been a lot of confusion about information emerging from the region. There has been a spike in misinformation on several platforms, which, as I argue in my piece, has further complicated the journalistic process of inquiry. But above all, the manipulation and weaponisation of information and bias in western media coverage pose a serious threat to a cosmopolitan solidarity that Palestinian victims need and deserve.

Also in this newsletter is a piece on the Australian e-Safety Commissioner’s second report on how tech giants – X/Twitter, Google, TikTok, Twitch and Discord – are tackling child sexual abuse issues, such as exploitation, extortion and livestreaming. Drawing on the $610,500 fine imposed on X by the e-Safety Commissioner under Australia’s Online Safety Act, Kieran comments on Australia’s approach to regulating digital platforms.

While self-proclaimed free-speech advocate Elon Musk has declared that removing child exploitation material is the platform’s top priority, there are many other serious concerns that, too, need immediate regulatory attention. Among them: mis- and dis-information. 

This week, Michael writes about the Australian government’s proposed Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation Bill. With the outcome of Saturday’s referendum now clear, he asks: what effect the bill, if enacted, might have had on the Voice campaign?

Lastly, Simon writes about how judicial efforts to ensure the rights and safety of journalists covering the outbreak of hostilities between Israel and Hamas are being challenged.

Read it in full here.

Ayesha Jehangir, CMT Postdoctoral Fellow