The Canadian government is considering taking legal action against social media platforms it suspects of spreading false and misleading information, according to a 35-page memo obtained under Access To Information.
The memo, titled "Misinformation And Disinformation Strategy," was revealed on Thursday and outlines a plan to prevent, detect, and respond to false or misleading information on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
The department responsible for the memo already monitors its official social media channels and media outlets daily for comments and inaccuracies, but new measures aim to transition from a reactive stance to one focused on prevention and early detection.
The memo states that the department will determine whether social media posts are "factually incorrect, misleading, or out of context," and any punitive measures against individuals will be "proportionate and subject to senior level approval." However, it acknowledges a risk of "further backlash" and notes that targeting individuals could generate unwanted publicity.
The memo also highlights the risk of unintentionally amplifying misinformation by increasing visibility or lending legitimacy to fringe sources, which can draw broader public attention.
Interestingly, the feds' own research suggests that Canadians feel capable of spotting fake news and do not support the government declaring what is true or not, according to a study by the Communications Security Establishment.
The study, titled "2024 Study On Online Disinformation Advertising Creative Testing," indicates that Canadians are skeptical of government efforts to control the narrative and prefer to rely on their own critical thinking skills to separate fact from fiction.
