George Christensen says social media companies wield unchecked power on 'indispensable platforms'. -AAP Image
Outgoing LNP backbencher George Christensen wants to stop social media companies removing content from platforms, which he says stifles freedom of speech.
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On Monday, Mr Christensen introduced a bill which would prohibit social media services from removing or censoring lawful content posted by MPs, election candidates, registered political parties, journalists and media organisations from Australian platforms.
He said social media platforms had become "notoriously censorious" of political discourse, referencing former US president Donald Trump who was banned from Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
Mr Trump was banned after platforms said he stoked violence ahead of the deadly US Capitol riots on January 6, 2021.
United Australia Party leader Craig Kelly was also banned from Facebook and Instagram and videos were removed from his YouTube page in 2021 for promoting unproven treatments for COVID-19.
"It should concern everyone when companies like Facebook and Twitter wield unchecked power to remove people from platforms that have become indispensable for the speech of billions," Mr Christensen said.
The proposed bill would make tech companies liable to fines of more than $1 million for removing lawful content.
"The tech elite … recalls the cultural influence of the Catholic church in the Middle Ages but with more advanced technology," he said.
"This bill safeguards Australian democracy against the big tech oligarchy."
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