Canada to Introduce Digital Charter: Penalties for 'Misinformation'

Canadian Prime Minister clamps down on free speech online to cheers and applause in the name of protecting people from 'hate speech' whatever that means.

We can say what we want about extremism but the reality is I don't see much support for things like the New Zealand supporter anywhere online. I don't think fear of violent extremism is the real reason for suppressing speech. I think the real reason for these kinds of calls is that there is growing alt media and the spread of information online which governments cannot control.

Currently the Canadian government controls who can broadcast in Canada through the CRTC. They have a government sponsored news network (CBC news) and a government sponsored TV network (CBC) both of which answer directly to parliament. They have a government sponsored press syndicate (Canadian press) that feeds stories to private media companies. They have a 600 million dollar funding package going to private news agencies.

The Canadian government controls what the Canadian people see and hear and how they get their news. At the same time, (and probably as a result of state actions) Canada has seen a surge in independent news broadcasters that use the internet. Canada has the Rebel Media, Stefan Molyneux, Lauren Southern, Gavin McInnes. These are all Canadian internet alt-media personalities who are popular internationally and with Canadians seeking an alternative to state manipulated media. Incidentally they have all also been labeled hate speech and would likely be subject to the Prime Minister's new laws.

I don't get it. Are there ways to hold people accountable for misinformation in real life? Say, if a politician lies to people during a speech. Are there any regulations that apply to that? But if they lie online, that's not okay? Or are politicians excluded here and it only applies to regular people?

While it seems like a great cause, I'm afraid that the collateral damage will be far too great.