Tag: Democracy
Compulsory voting in Australia is 100 years old. We should celebrate how special it makes our democracy
While there have been moves to making voting optional in Australia, voters have consistently expressed their support for it being compulsory.
Threats and challenges to Australia’s democracy are well outlined in government report. Now for some action
A new government report is a thoughtful and considered contribution to a debate on our democracy. Now it needs to spend money on debate and education.
Climate in the courtroom: all sides are using ‘green lawfare’, and it’s good for democracy
While it’s easy to demonise environmentalists for using the courts to further their causes, a fundamental part of any democracy is access to the legal system.
In a year of global elections, how do we stop the spread of misinformation? ‘Prebunking’ is part of the solution
You’ve heard of debunking, but what about prebunking? Getting ahead of misinformation can pay off, but it’s not a silver bullet.
South Australia’s plan to ban political donations raises big risks as well as benefits
Banning political donations may sound like a good idea, but Peter Malinauskas’ plan raises political and legal risks.
What does AI mean for Australian democracy? And what can we do about it?
Deepfakes and disinformation are on the rise as the world faces the ‘biggest election year in history’. But AI doesn’t have to spell the end of democracy.
Waitangi Day 2024: 5 myths and misconceptions that confuse the Treaty debate
Decades of Treaty scholarship have failed to arrive at a consensus about its meaning and purpose. Dispensing with various mistaken interpretations would improve the chances of productive discussion.
More than 4 billion people are eligible to vote in an election in 2024. Is this democracy's biggest test?
In 2024, more than 40% of the world’s population is eligible to vote in an election. The scale is unprecedented, but not all elections are made equal. What will it mean for democracy?
Indonesia is one of the world's largest democracies, but it's weaponising defamation laws to smother dissent
Two human rights activists have been acquitted of defaming a powerful government minister. It’s the latest in a string of concerning authoritarian uses of Indonesian law.
The news is fading from sight on big social media platforms – where does that leave journalism?
Social media platforms are abandoning news – which is bad news for traditional media organisations that have come to rely on them for consumers.
Why redefining the Treaty principles would undermine real political equality in NZ
The ACT Party claims revisiting the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi is about political equality. But removing a Māori cultural dimension to New Zealand’s democracy would have an opposite effect.
Australia's secrecy laws include 875 offences. Reforms are welcome, but don't go far enough for press freedom
Today, the government released a review into Australia’s patchwork of a secrecy law system. The proposed changes are a step in the right direction, but there’s so much more work to do.
Racism and democracy: why claims of ‘division by race’ in the NZ election and Voice referendum need challenging
Arguments against including Indigenous cultural perspectives and experiences in public policy have spilled over into prejudice and racism on both sides of the Tasman. That harms democracy.
Yes, Labor's misinformation bill could jeopardise free speech online
The bill, yet to be debated in parliament, is ripe for amendment.
Australia tops the world for podcast listening. Why do we love them so much?
New research finds Australian listeners value news podcasts for enabling them to better participate in democratic life.