ACMA flags stalled progress in fact-checking online content
The Australian Communications and Media Authority’s (ACMA) latest report warns that fact-checking efforts are stalling under Australia’s misinformation code. The revelation comes as part of ACMA’s fourth report on the Australian Code of Practice on Disinformation and Misinformation, highlighting both progress and challenges in tackling harmful online content.
The report also noted that digital platforms continue to refine their policies and systems in response to advances in artificial intelligence. A notable development is the adoption of industry-wide standards for content labelling and provenance, which are intended to help users identify the source and authenticity of digital content. ACMA noted that these updates reflect a growing awareness of the risks posed by generative AI technologies, which can rapidly produce and spread manipulated or misleading material.
Introduced in 2021, the voluntary framework is designed to reduce the spread of misleading and false information affecting Australians. Signatories include major technology companies in Australia, which are required to report annually on their actions to curb disinformation and improve transparency.
The report also raised concerns about the state of independent fact-checking. The regulator observed that industry support for fact-checking initiatives “appears to be stalling” in Australia, potentially undermining efforts to counter harmful misinformation.
This issue is compounded by a decline in the number of pieces of content being actioned. While more platforms have reported Australian-specific data, the volume of removals and other interventions has fallen compared with earlier reporting periods.
Focus on digital literacy
One area of continued strength is investment in digital literacy programmes. These initiatives are aimed at guiding users to build skills to better identify false or misleading information, ultimately improving resilience against harmful narratives. ACMA highlighted digital literacy as a key priority in reducing the societal impact of misinformation.
Alongside the report, ACMA has published an interactive dataset. This provides a detailed overview of how commitments under the code have evolved since its introduction and offers insights into the progress reported by individual companies.
Looking ahead, ACMA confirmed it will work with DIGI—the Digital Industry Group Inc., the code’s administrator—and platform signatories to conduct a full review of the framework before the end of 2025. The regulator said it would also consult with industry, government, and civil society stakeholders to assess the code’s effectiveness and consider potential improvements.
Wider ACMA enforcement action
Although the misinformation code is voluntary, ACMA has taken a more assertive stance in other areas of online regulation. Since 2019, the regulator has blocked 1,279 unlicensed gambling websites and issued multiple warnings to consumers about the risks of using unregulated platforms.
ACMA emphasised that it will continue to monitor compliance with the misinformation code and ensure transparency in signatories’ reporting. With a full review scheduled before 2025, the regulator signalled that the framework will remain under close scrutiny as policymakers weigh the balance between voluntary action and potential regulatory enforcement.
Probable gambling ad ban
In a separate development, the Australian federal government is planning to introduce legislation to rewrite gambling advertising rules before the end of the current parliamentary year. Communications Minister Anika Wells is in talks with key stakeholders from gambling, advertising, and media sectors to shape the upcoming proposals.
Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, addressing growing calls for a nationwide ban on gambling advertising, stressed that his Government would not “make policy on the run.” Albanese highlighted that the country already has initiatives in place to tackle gambling harm, including BetStop national self-exclusion register.
Changes are underway left right and center in Australia. The country’s gambling and betting operators will face regulatory changes from March 2026, as new Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) rules come into force. The reforms were tabled in Parliament on 29 August. They are designed to modernise the country’s defences against financial crime and bring local standards in line with global expectations.
