Labour Demands Tough New Laws to Punish Anti-Vax Disinformation
Labour Targets Social Media Giants
Labour is calling on the government to introduce new legislation that would slap financial and criminal penalties on companies that fail to clamp down on dangerous anti-vaccine content online. The party claims vast anti-vaccination groups with hundreds of thousands of social media followers are “churning out disinformation” and harming public health efforts.
Shadow Ministers Warn of Real Danger to Vaccination Drive
Shadow Culture Secretary Jo Stevens and Shadow Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth have written to Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden, insisting the “spread of disinformation online presents a real and present danger” to the vaccine rollout. Stevens blasted the government’s “pitiful track record” in tackling platforms that allow fake news to flourish.
“It has been clear for years that this is a widespread and growing problem,” said Stevens. “Labour has been warning them this poses a real threat to vaccine uptake.”
Coronavirus Update from South Australia
Meanwhile, South Australia has reported four new Covid cases, including an 80-year-old woman suspected of community transmission. SA Chief Public Health Officer Nicola Spurrier said the woman was tested at Lyell McEwin Hospital and remains stable.
In a late update, Spurrier revealed two family members also tested positive—a woman in her 50s and a man in his 60s. Crucially, one works at a medi-hotel, raising concerns over wider exposure.
“This is early info and genomic testing is ongoing,” said Spurrier. “We’re investigating the source and contacting anyone who may have come into contact with the woman at Lyell McEwin Hospital.”
