LIBERALS DETERMINED TO MONITOR & CONTROL THE ONLINE NARRATIVE

  The federal Liberal government plans to shift gears on its controversial proposal to regulate “online harms” to an approach that puts the onus on digital platforms to deal with potentially harmful content. The move comes after critics warned the original plan would amount to censorship, and new documents released from a government-appointed advisory group show it supported a change in approach.
  However, most “if not all” members of the advisory group appointed by Heritage Canada have suggested that the categories of harms targeted should be broadened to include, among other things, “misleading political communications,” “propaganda,” and online content that promotes an “unrealistic body image.” The government has not yet indicated whether it will accept all of the group’s recommendations.
  A series of worksheets recently posted online by Heritage Canada signal that the government is moving away from it original plan for a “regime based on rigid moderating obligations,” in which Ottawa would have ordered platforms to remove content it deemed harmful within 24 hours or face penalties.