TikTok accused of censoring Indigenous Voice debate after Ben Fordham video disappears

TikTok has been accused of censoring the Voice debate after a Ben Fordham video about ticks and crosses on ballots was removed for “misinformation”.

Breakfast host Mark Levy explained on Wednesday that the social media platform had removed a video from the Ben Fordham Live account which discussed voting rules in the upcoming Voice to Parliament referendum which will be held on October 14.

In the video, shared last week, Fordham discussed the Australian Electoral Commission’s instructions on using a tick or cross when voting – after it was revealed a cross would not be counted as a vote.

Levy questioned TikTok’s removal of the video, saying it was removed due to an “error” with its artificial intelligence and human moderation process.

The video has since been reinstated on the popular social media platform, claiming it was “hypersensitive during election time” when moderating content about voting.

TikTok accused of censorship after Ben Fordham video about ticks and crosses on ballots for The Voice was removed for ‘misinformation’

Levy claimed the timing was “questionable” and added that the moderation appeared to be “censorship” working to help the Yes campaign.

“The videos are now more informed, fact-based and lean towards yes. There was a shift from No to Yes, even though the Yes camp has 10 times fewer subscribers on this platform.

“Has the Yes camp gone on a reporting frenzy? Are they trying to cut out things they don’t like? Someone has to do it and that’s why our video was removed.

“Now, if that’s the direction we’re headed, we’re going down a slippery slope.”

Levy said the video, which garnered more than half a million views, was removed over the weekend due to a violation of TikTok’s “civic and election integrity” guidelines.

“You may remember Ben pointing out the fact that if you check the box, your vote will be counted as ‘Yes,’ but if you put a cross, it will not be counted as ‘No,'” Levy said.

“TikTok has become very careful with content that questions or presents the Voice in a negative light,” Levy said.

“They (TikTok) stated that “elections are important times for community conversation and promote the values ​​of an open society.

“We do not allow misinformation about the civic and electoral process, regardless of intent.”

Levy denied claims that the video contained misinformation and said “it triggered facts about how mistakes will be made at the polls.”

“The video didn’t tell people who to vote for or what to say, so where’s the misinformation?” he said.

TikTok told Daily Mail Australia it does not moderate content based on political sensitivity and said a wide range of viewpoints can be found on the platform.

“Our goal during the referendum is to ensure the safety of our community and protect the integrity of the process and our platform while maintaining a neutral position. We do not moderate content based on political sensitivity,” a TikTok spokesperson said.

“During the campaign period, our team of 40,000 trust and security specialists are exercising vigilance around our community guidelines, which clearly state that we do not allow misinformation about civic and electoral processes, regardless of is the intention.

“This includes misinformation about how to vote, voter registration, candidate eligibility requirements, ballot counting and election certification processes, and the final outcome of an election .”

Levy said the video, which garnered more than half a million views, was removed over the weekend due to a violation of TikTok’s “civic and election integrity” guidelines.

TikTok explained that the platform is working closely with the Australian Electoral Commission, the Electoral Integrity Assurance Task Force and other community partners to establish dedicated reporting channels.

TikTok users also have access to a hub designed to inform people about the referendum process.

Yes and No supporters have stepped up their campaigns in the run-up to next month’s referendum.

A recent national Essential poll indicates a majority of Australians will vote ‘no’ in the referendum on the Indigenous voice in Parliament.

The poll, conducted September 13-17, surveyed a sample of 1,135 Australian voters.

The study reveals that 51 per cent of people will vote ‘no’ in the next referendum, compared to 41 per cent voting ‘yes’.

Regarding voter strength, 42 percent said they were a resounding “no,” while 28 percent were a resounding “yes.”

The figures also show that 12 percent of voters voted “yes”, compared to 8 percent of voters voted “no”.

Since June, all the polls carried out show that support for “yes” is in constant decline.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (pictured) urged Australians to remain respectful during the Voice in Parliament debate.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has urged Australians on both sides of the Voice debate to remain respectful.

Mr Albanese was also blunt when asked on 2SM radio on Wednesday morning whether he would hold the referendum if he had his time again.

‘Yes. Because when are we going to do this (if not). It’s been 122 years,” Mr Albanese said.

“There are provisions in the Constitution for New Zealand to be Australia’s seventh state, but there is no recognition of Australia’s first peoples.

“It shouldn’t be controversial.”

Mr Albanese committed the Labor government to “fully” implementing the Uluru Declaration when he won the election in May last year.

He added that the first step towards implementing the declaration was to hold a referendum on enshrining an indigenous voice in Parliament.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has pleaded with the Prime Minister to delay the “divisive” referendum or change the question asked of voters.

Mr Dutton suggested the question should ask Australians to vote on Indigenous recognition without a vote enshrined in the Constitution.