Social media inquiry report delayed

Ashley Regan
By Ashley Regan | 20 August 2024
 
Credit: Prateek Katyal via Unsplash

The Joint Select Committee on Social Media and Australian Society has failed to submit its interim report on time, by August 15.

However, a small overview of the committee was presented, due to changes in office holders.

"The committee intends to continue its work and present a substantial interim report in the coming weeks, and to hold several further public hearings to inform its final report in November," said committee chair Sharon Claydon.

The inquiry, tasked to inquire into and report on the influence and impacts of social media on Australian society, is required to present its final report on or before November 18.

Among the issues is why Meta abandoned deals with local media outlets, proposals to limit children’s access to social networks, a look at social media’s effect on mental health and consider illegal content on digital platforms.

The committee received 217 submissions and held five public hearings in Canberra.

In the first public hearing, media bosses warned that local news coverage and newsroom jobs could shrink if the government fails to ensure Meta renews its agreement to pay for news content.

The second hearing saw Meta say it could ban all Australian news content on Facebook if the federal government tries to force it to strike deals with publishers.

In July, the Queensland University of Technology's Digital Media Research Centre (DMRC) made a submission to the Joint Select Committee on Social Media and Australian Society expressing concern that its direction is 'deeply flawed'.

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