Public Service Announcement: it's perfectly legal for politicians to lie to us in their campaign ads this election.
For example, a real estate agent would be breaking the law if they claimed a property was beachfront when it was not. Various parliaments, while pondering whether to legislate honesty in advertising, have been sincere in noting that people need to rely on the information they're given from the candidates seeking to govern us in order to make an informed choice on polling day.In February 1984, a law came into effect banning the printing or publishing of untrue electoral advertising with a maximum fine of $1,000 or imprisonment for up to six months.
Constitutional lawyer George Williams said it was done on the majority recommendation of a parliamentary committee that had a number of concerns, including that mere opinions could be captured by the laws, and publishers and television stations would be disproportionately affected; needing legal advice before advertisements could be run.
Even if they were forced to tell the truth no-one would believe them.
Because they make the laws?
So why is it OK for media broadcasters, like you, to continually pump out bias against the ALP and paint Morrison as a saint when the truth is he raided the ABC in the name of whistleblowing to reshape and manipulate it for his own political mileage? I’d say that’s misleading.
Now that's the most relevant question asked by the ABC in a very long time!!
Section 329 of the Electoral commission act needs to changed. Re lying and misleading during an election campaign.
They write the laws & enforce them
Not a problem most Aussie's don't believe politicians, polls or MSM.
Imagine if we had a media that called out the lies told in political ads? But then, this is 2022 Australia - we cant expect that.
Lying is part of the democratic and business process. The bigger you are, the bigger the lie you can get away with
Why is it okay for ABC ‘journalists’ to be so partisan during an elelction campaign and rather than report news, push their one sided opinions?
It has to change…the whole “things would need to be verified legally before publication” argument is known as “due diligence”, and is expected.
Good question. Could extend to why can journalists be so misleading and factless? auspol
It's not.
Because politicians make the rules.
Because it suits vested interests.
It's the same reason why journalists are not accountable 🤔
It's NOT! Murdoch & his minions should be gaoled! Just like their Australian puppet!
Exactly! I would suggest it’s far worse in the political arena as ‘promises’ are made. While I’m not condoning the misleading information by companies in the slightest, politicians are elected based on good faith by the people. Perhaps I’m to naïve to believe in honest politics.
finish cent friend
Let’s have some truth in media laws too while they’re at it.
Yes they way AnAl is lying about the cashless card for pensioners truly is a sickening act. Scaring them like that when it’s a absolute lie truly is disgusting.