MDDI's response to PQ on Providing Media and Persons Opportunity to Correct Inaccurate Information

Parliament Sitting on 13 November 2024

QUESTION FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

21. Ms Hazel Poa asked the Minister for Digital Development and Information (a) why it is the established practice for the Government to approach mainstream media outlets to correct inaccurate information instead of issuing a correction direction under the Protection from Online Falsehood and Manipulation Act 2019 (POFMA); and (b) why does the Government not provide non-mainstream media outlets or other persons with the opportunity to correct inaccurate information before issuing a correction direction under POFMA.

Answer:

The Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act 2019 (POFMA) allows the Government to address online falsehoods expeditiously, by requiring the correct facts to be put up alongside the falsehood. This establishes an honest and factual basis for public discourse on issues of public interest.

Accredited media outlets have long established practices to publish editor’s notes or corrections if there are inaccuracies in their reports. Such processes allow the Government to work with accredited media to quickly clarify any factual errors in a timely manner. Non-accredited media outlets, as well as individuals, do not have such established processes for clarifications and corrections to be made.