One month out from the official election period the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) has signed up five online platform giants to help confirm the Commission’s commitment to electoral integrity and overcoming harmful electoral disinformation.
Electoral Commissioner, Warwick Gately said a multilateral Statement of Intent has been signed by the website leaders Twitter, Google, Microsoft, Meta and TikTok to establish arrangements with them to protect Victoria’s democracy this State election (26 November).
“Each platform agrees to put in place processes for the VEC to refer harmful disinformation to them for restriction or removal, where that content breaches Victoria’s Electoral Act 2002 (Vic) or the platform’s policies,” Mr Gately said.
“Victorians are likely to see over the next few months a variety of electoral-related misinformation and disinformation campaigns,” he said.
“While I encourage free speech as part of the democratic process, disinformation campaigns designed to disenfranchise voters cannot be tolerated.”
Mr Gately said the VEC would be paying particular attention to content that breached Victorian electoral law, including electoral campaign material that was unauthorised, or material that deceived or misled voters in relation to the casting of their vote.
“Our partnership with the online platforms will protect Victorians and ensure an accurate, healthy debate leading into the election, and we look forward to receiving their support this November,” the Commissioner said.
The Commission’s six-page Statement of Intent can be accessed at this PS News link.
