Google executives defend the public interest behind Sky News’ ban on media diversity hearing

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Media diversity gathered in the Australian Senate Committee hearing this morning after today’s session was postponed last month following a sudden lockdown in the nation’s capital.

The focus of the first session was on Google and YouTube policies on disinformation and disinformation, in relation to Sky News Australia’s seven-day ban from the platform last month.

This saw Google’s director of public policy for Australia and New Zealand, Lucinda Longcroft and Samantha Yorke, senior manager, Government Affairs and Public Policy, Australia and New Zealand, appeared before the committee, answering the president’s questions. on the committee, Green Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, along with Labor Senator Kim Carr, National Liberal Party Senator Sam McMahon, and Liberal Party Senator Gerrard Rennick.

Google Lucinda Longcroft

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Longcroft told the committee that Google’s policies aim to strike a balance between providing the maximum amount of information available and ensuring safety for the community, stating that YouTube is not a one-size-fits-all platform.

It also clarified that following the publishers’ ban from the platform, 23 videos in total were removed for violating its COVID-19 disinformation policies.

Following the ban and the removal of the content, Longcroft said that Sky News Australia has not challenged any of the decisions, nor has it received any official complaints, however it has raised concerns about YouTube’s policy.

Longcroft said that following the initial ban, only then did Google receive communications from the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). Longcroft said the company worked closely with the regulator to develop the disinformation code of conduct, which is a voluntary code, in order to protect users and combat disinformation.

Committee Chair Senator Sarah Hanson-Young

Longcroft also told the committee that it provided the Department of Health with $ 4.8 million in free advertising during the pandemic to provide authoritative public health information.

Sky News Australia CEO Paul Whittaker, former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, ACMA President Nerida OLaughlin, and ACMA Vice President and CEO Crenia Chapman also feature in today’s schedule.

A panel of Sky News presenters with Alan Jones, Rowan Dean and Rita Panahi would also appear before the committee and figure in the running order for the session for the past few months, before it was postponed the day before, however they withdrew on Friday, as reported by Mumbrella, without giving any specific reasons.

News Corp’s co-chair, Lachlan Murdoch, was also invited by Senator Hanson-Young to appear as a witness, but declined the invitation.

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