Social Media, Human Rights and the Law – Navigating a changing digital landscape

As Australia moves to reshape its digital environment, legal professionals must stay informed about the evolving intersection of social media, human rights and regulatory reform. This timely seminar presented by Australian Human Rights Commissioner, Dr Lorraine Finlay, will explore the legal and ethical implications of reforms including:

• Upcoming Social Media Ban for under-16s
• Proposed introduction of a Digital Duty of Care
• Legislation targeting misinformation and disinformation

Drawing on the Commission’s work on the intersection between technology and human rights, the Commissioner will provide expert insight into how current and proposed laws in this area should aim to balance online safety with fundamental rights such as freedom of expression, access to information, the right to privacy, and the rights of children and young people.

What You’ll Learn

Participants will gain:

A comprehensive understanding of current and proposed legal frameworks regulating social media in Australia

• Insight into the human rights implications of digital regulation, including freedom of expression, privacy and child rights
• Awareness of the legal profession’s role in advocating for proportionate, rights-respecting digital laws
• Practical knowledge to advise clients and organisations navigating compliance with emerging digital duties

Target Audience 

The target audience for this seminar includes:

• Legal practitioners in public, private and community sectors
• In-house counsel and compliance professionals
• Human rights advocates and policy advisors
• Government and regulatory agency staff
• Academics and students with an interest in media, technology and the law

Presenter

Lorraine Finlay, Human Rights Commissioner

Lorraine Finlay is the Human Rights Commissioner at the Australian Human Rights Commission. In this role she has particular responsibility for protecting and promoting fundamental rights and freedoms, including freedom of speech, religion, movement and association. She also leads the work of the Commission in areas including business & human rights, modern slavery, asylum seekers and refugees, and technology & human rights. Prior to joining the Commission, Lorraine has worked as a lawyer and academic specialising in human rights and public law. Her past roles have included working as the Senior Human Trafficking Specialist with the Australian Mission to ASEAN, an academic at Murdoch University, and a State Prosecutor with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (WA). Lorraine holds a dual Masters in Law from New York University and the National University of Singapore, where she studied as a Singapura Scholar. She has also been actively involved in a variety of community organisations, including past Board roles with the Ishar Multicultural Women’s Health Service and National Council of Women (WA).