Australia's pioneering establishment of an eSafety Commission in 2017, led by Julie Inman Grant, signifies a global effort to address online safety concerns. Recent events, including a clash with social media company X and its owner, Elon Musk, over the dissemination of violent content, have sparked contentious debates about freedom of speech versus censorship. Musk advocates for unrestricted freedom of speech, criticizing governmental control over online content, while others argue for regulations to mitigate harm caused by misinformation and online abuse. This clash culminates in the ongoing struggle to strike a balance between safeguarding individuals from harm and upholding principles of free speech in the digital age.
Vocabulary:
• Nasty (adj): Unpleasant or mean; something that is not nice or friendly.
• Stand-off (noun): A situation where neither side in a conflict or dispute is willing to change their position or give in, resulting in a stalemate.
• Footage (noun): Recorded or filmed material, typically referring to video recordings.
• To take something down (verb): To remove or delete something, especially from the internet or from public view.
• A bloke (noun): a man.
• To impinge (verb): To have a negative effect on something by causing it harm.
• To take over (verb):To gain control or possession of something.
• A fine (noun): A sum of money that must be paid as a penalty for breaking a rule or law.
• Cyberbullying: Cyberbullying is the act of using digital devices to deliberately and repeatedly harm, harass, or intimidate someone. This can include sending mean or threatening messages, spreading rumors, sharing embarrassing photos or videos, and excluding someone from online groups. It typically takes place through social media, text messages, emails, and other online platforms.
Source: Behind the News YouTube channel.