The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) fact-checker has been dropped by Meta over allegations of bias and unfairness regarding the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum.
Australians will be voting in October on whether to enshrine an advisory body and recognition of Indigenous people into their Constitution.
“In light of these allegations and the upcoming vote on The Voice referendum, we are suspending RMIT as a partner in our fact-checking program, effective immediately,” Meta said in a letter to the Shadow Minister for Cyber Security and Senator James Paterson, who posted the letter to X (formerly Twitter).
Meta also said they have become aware that RMIT’s International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) accreditation has expired.
Several complaints about possible bias or unfairness by RMIT’s “FactLab” were also made to the IFCN, according to the letter written by Meta’s Regional Director of Policy Mia Garlick.
“Once the IFCN has considered whether RMIT FactLab’s expired certification should be reinstated, we will again review their participation in our fact-checking program,” she said in the letter.
Senator Paterson detailed concerns in an initial letter to Meta on Aug. 24 about interference by a private company in free speech in Australia.
“Australians’ right to debate the most radical proposed change to our Constitution since federation must not be censored by foreign headquartered platforms,” wrote Mr. Paterson in his letter.
“But the decision of a foreign headquartered social media platform to interfere with legitimate public discourse during a referendum to change the Australian Constitution is particularly egregious and cannot go unaccounted,” he wrote.
Investigation Sheds Light
The allegations of bias came to light in a recent Sky News investigation that found RMIT allowed Meta to block certain news stories and debate about the referendum, breaking the media giant’s own impartiality and transparency rules.Sky News says they revealed a $750,000 contract between RMIT and Meta that allowed fact-checking to happen via an Irish Meta subsidiary.
Their investigation also discovered that a contract between the IFCN and RMIT ended in December, a reality Meta has now admitted to.
RMIT says on its website they are “committed to fighting the viral spread of misinformation and disinformation that can harm people and undermine democratic processes.”
Their FactLab maintains they are “transparent, independent, and fully accountable.”
“We provide links to our sources and welcome discussion and feedback,” the FactLab says. “Our staff cannot be members of political parties or activist groups and are required to declare all previous affiliations.”
As a part of the fact-checking methodology, RMIT says they prioritise checking content that “undermines democratic processes, such as inaccurate information about voting in elections and referendums.”
Senator Paterson has taken to X saying that all other media outlets should follow Meta’s lead and break away from RMIT.
The Sky News investigation also says there are 55 fact-checkers who have expired credentials with the IFCN, who currently have 107 verified global signatories.
Meta says they invest in third-party fact-checkers as a part of their strong commitment to combat misinformation. In Australia, Meta will now rely on news wire services AAP and AFP after dumping RMIT.
Fact-Checking Issues Around Upcoming Vote to Change the Constitution
Mr. Paterson has also mentioned criticism of the full Uluru Statement from the Heart document being censored by the RMIT FactLab.RMIT fact-checked media reports on the Uluru Statement saying it was only a one-page document, and not the 26 pages.
Papers released under a Freedom of Information request by Sky News host Peta Credlin revealed a 26-page “full statement,” which includes potential future steps to reconciliation including paying reparations to Indigenous communities.
The RMIT fact-check denied the Uluru Statement from the Heart was that long, saying the additional 25 pages were of background information, including minutes of meetings held with Indigenous communities.
“Even the ABC’s Media Watch program has criticised this fact-check. The substance of the Uluru statement is a legitimate issue on which people of good-will can reasonably disagree and should not be restricted on your platform,” Mr. Paterson wrote in his letter to Meta.
“I remind Meta of the evidence it recently presented to the Senate Select Committee on Foreign Interference through social media. With the benefit of hindsight, Meta acknowledged that its censorship on the origins of COVID-19 went too far,” he wrote.
The senator is also seeking a full explanation of how the fact-checker interfered with freedom of speech and wants assurances from Meta on how they will “not further suppress legitimate public debate.”
The Uluru Statement from the Heart was compiled by 250 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders after the 2017 National Constitution Convention and recommends an Indigenous Voice to Parliament be introduced—requiring a change to the country’s Constitution.
“With substantive constitutional change and structural reform, we believe this ancient sovereignty can shine through as a fuller expression of Australia’s nationhood,” it says in part of the Uluru statement. “We seek constitutional reforms to empower our people and take a rightful place in our own country.”
Proponents of a “Yes” vote on The Voice say it is the best way to help deal with issues throughout Indigenous communities. Meanwhile, opponents argue a “Yes” vote will divide the country along racial lines.
An announcement on the start of voting in the referendum is expected in South Australia, a key battleground for the Yes vote.
