this post was submitted on 15 Nov 2024
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32
Petition: Create a public consultation on freedom of speech and disinformation (petition.parliament.uk)
submitted 1 week ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
12 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

To whom it may concern.

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[–] fartsparkles 9 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Why anyone would downvote this is beyond me. More than ever, we need to strengthen regulations across the board when it comes to knowingly spreading misinformation, failing to do due diligence if you’re in a position of power and spreading unverified information, privacy and right to be forgotten with AI, and so much more.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 week ago

Maybe because these petition have never (as far as I know) achieved anything?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 week ago

Do we really want the government to be the arbiters of truth though?

[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Considering the sheer amount of mis/disinformation we've seen in just our own media over the last decade (cough the NHS buses cough), I absolutely agree that we need the government to be putting more accountability onto online media sources (I.e. news publishers and social media platforms) for the mis/disinformation they allow to propagate through them, and to find more ways to increase the digital literacy of our population (particularly the elderly and children) so they're more resistant to it in the future.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I agree. But can see how this will go.

If it gets the votes. (Hard because most have gotten fed up with these things achieving nothing)

Parliment will have a discussion. Argue about how impossible it is to define truth from a government prospective. (IE without looking like censorship)

Then never being it up again.

Unfortunately this is the sort of problem that needs answers before letting government discuss it. And then needs grass roots support to force it forward.

And honestly. I don't think the UK is capable of that any more. NHS creating and post war social housing was likely the last time we were.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 week ago (1 children)

You could take some of the rules from advertising. If you’re making a claim, you have to have the evidence to back it up.

Yes, that can be a grey area, but it would be a start.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Yes, that can be a grey area, but it would be a start.

Yep lets remember. Under that rule. The NHS bus passes.

Advertising really only has to not be provable false. The ASA has way less power when claims are questionable or down to interpretation.

Does a Mars a day help you work, rest and play. Well, obesity and increased risk of type 2 diabetes would say hell no. If a politician claimed sugar treats helped you work, rest and play. He would be dragged over the coals in the media.

But technically. As a type one diabetic. Without access to sugar (refined carbs) exercise is very able to kill me via hypoglycaemia. And all mammals need energy. So technically it's true. But full of crap at the same time.

Yeah you may be too young to remember that advert. I have no idea I dont think Ie seen it since the 90s. But it's still legal today.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Well fellow old fart, I was born in the mid 1970s so I can just about remember it when the dementia lets me.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 week ago

Grins born 1970 exactly.

So your a young wipper snapper.

Feel free to pass that proffesional opinion on to your significant (or otherwise) other.>

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Signed it. Let's see

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 week ago

Same here. Every little helps ;-)

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 week ago

Freedom of speech should be something we absolutely we have in civilised society. I can't believe how many people are against it.

I think it needs more protection. I don't even understand how jobs can dictate your freedom of speech outside of work when not about work. It's dystopian and no one cares.