In this final instalment of Truth, Trust, and Politics, Mary Gearin interviews former ABC colleague Jon Faine, reflecting on the evolving media landscape, misinformation, and political trust.

They discuss how social media has fueled misinformation, widening the gap between facts and public perception.

The conversation explores the decline of traditional media, the rise of new influential voices, and how fear-driven narratives shape political discourse.

They also examine the challenges of political accountability, voter scepticism, and the growing demand for transparency from politicians.

Public health messaging, particularly in engaging vaccine sceptics, is highlighted as an area requiring innovation.

Mary Gearin and Faine emphasise the importance of political diversity and civic engagement in strengthening democracy.

As voter expectations shift, they question how politicians and the media must adapt to restore trust. This final episode brings together key themes of the series, offering insights into the intersection of truth, trust, and political communication in today’s world.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Truth, Trust, and Politics

02:35 The Evolution of Facts and Mistruths

06:15 The Business of Misinformation

08:13 Democracy and Political Disengagement

11:00 The Role of Politicians in Society

15:43 Media's Accountability and the Fear Factor

20:35 The Existential Crisis of Journalism

23:44 The Evolving Landscape of Media Influence

26:14 Legacy Media vs. New Voices

28:14 Engaging the Vaccine Skeptics

32:01 Innovative Communication Strategies

36:49 Restoring Trust in Politics

41:24 The Future of Political Engagement

The Spread of Misinformation: Lessons from the Voice to Parliament Referendum In this episode, Mary Gearin interviews Andrea Carson, who unpacks the complexities of misinformation and disinformation, particularly in the lead-up to the Voice to Parliament referendum.

Drawing on her extensive research, Andrea Carson examines how social media has reshaped political discourse, creating an environment where falsehoods can spread rapidly and influence public perception.

Professor Andrea Carson explores the challenges of regulating misinformation, the role of fact-checking and media literacy, and the responsibility of political leaders in shaping public trust.

In an era where trust in media and institutions is fragile, Andrea Carson argues that empowering the public with critical thinking skills is key to safeguarding democracy.

Chapters

00:00 Mapping the Information Ecosystem

02:53 The Impact of Misinformation on Politics

05:53 Regulating Misinformation and Disinformation

08:59 The Role of Fact-Checking in Trust

12:05 Youth, Social Media Literacy, and Trust

14:51 The Future of Political Discourse and Trust

With the 2025 federal election approaching, trust in politics and the media is at an all-time low. Unchecked misinformation is spreading, political discourse is increasingly polarised, and voters struggle to separate fact from fiction. Can we rebuild trust before it’s too late?

In this episode, Mary Gearin speaks with Bill Browne, Director of the Democracy & Accountability Program at The Australia Institute, and Mark Kenny, journalist and Professor at ANU, to explore the crisis of trust in political communication.

They discuss the media’s role in shaping public perception, the impact of misinformation on elections, and the decline of trust in democratic institutions. With election campaigns becoming battlegrounds for misleading narratives, they examine whether stronger truth-in-political-advertising laws and greater media accountability could help restore public confidence.

How can politicians and the media rebuild credibility? Who should be held accountable for misinformation? And most importantly, how do we strengthen democracy before Australians head to the polls?

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Truth, Trust, and Politics

02:35 The Evolution of Facts and Mistruths

06:15 The Business of Misinformation

08:13 Democracy and Political Disengagement

11:00 The Role of Politicians in Society

15:43 Media's Accountability and the Fear Factor

20:35 The Existential Crisis of Journalism

23:44 The Evolving Landscape of Media Influence

26:14 Legacy Media vs. New Voices

28:14 Engaging the Vaccine Skeptics

32:01 Innovative Communication Strategies

36:49 Restoring Trust in Politics

41:24 The Future of Political Engagement

In the third episode, we explore the Disengagement Dilemma: Why young Australians, particularly those from migrant backgrounds, are turning away from politics.

Mary Gearin leads a compelling conversation with Kos Samaras, Founder of RedBridge, and Nor Shanino, CEO of Ubuntu Project, as they unpack the impact of misinformation, political disengagement, and rising youth activism on social media.

They reflect on how misinformation shapes community perceptions and how disengagement grows when political conversations exclude real experiences.

With trust in traditional media at an all-time low, young people are finding new ways to organise and have their voices heard, but social media also brings new risks of misinformation.

Although many are sceptical, rebuilding trust starts with listening and engaging meaningfully.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Truth, Trust, and Politics

02:04 Misinformation and Its Impact on Communities

05:46 Political Disengagement and Its Consequences

09:15 Activism and the Role of Social Media

12:27 Global Citizenship and Political Awareness

16:46 The Role of Traditional Media in Combating Disinformation

23:27 The Shift from Traditional Media to Streaming

24:46 Erosion of Trust in Institutions

25:41 Engaging Young People in Communication

28:39 Authenticity in Political Engagement

30:54 The Role of Representation in Politics

32:54 Trust and Scepticism in Information

36:18 Navigating Misinformation in the Digital Age

40:27 Personal Strategies Against Disinformation

40:47 Strategy for Fact-Checking

46:50 Mary’s Conclusion

47:10 End Credits

In this thought-provoking episode, Zali Steggall MP joins seasoned political analyst Michael Maley to explore one of the most pressing issues of our time: truth in politics.

Together, they unpack the growing challenges of misinformation, the rise of "alternative facts," and the historical attempts to regulate truth in political advertising.

In this conversation led by Mary Gearin, they delve into why credible facts matter, how political debate often involves future predictions, and why voters need protection from misleading claims.

They also highlight the urgent need for modern "guardrails" to ensure trustworthy political messaging, especially as AI and deepfakes amplify the risks of disinformation.

Zali and Michael also reflect on how unchecked misinformation can erode public trust and disengage voters, threatening the very foundation of democracy.

They argue that while consequences for spreading falsehoods must be serious to deter bad actors, the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) should not bear the impossible burden of deciding what is true in the political arena.

Chapters

00:00 Defining Truth in Politics

06:09 The Challenge of Alternate Facts

10:31 Historical Context of Truth in Advertising Laws

14:53 The Need for Modern Guardrails

20:03 Legislating Voter Protection Laws

26:40 Consequences and Deterrents for Misinformation

31:49 The Fragility of Democracy and Trust

36:55 The Importance of Credible Facts

41:23 Propaganda & Misinformation

45:11 Mary Wrapping Up

45:31 End Credits

In this conversation, Mary Gearin and Kate Torney OAM discuss the declining trust in journalism and its interrelation with political discourse and other institutions.

Kate Torney emphasises the need for journalism to reflect on its role and constructively engage with audiences, particularly younger generations.

Kate Torney also advocates for a shift from traditional conflict journalism to constructive journalism, which focuses on solutions and civil discourse.

She highlights the importance of representation in media and the need for media literacy to combat misinformation and engage audiences effectively. The conversation also touches on the challenges of political discourse and the role of optimism in journalism.

Chapters

00:00 The Crisis of Trust in Journalism

01:54 Kate Turney Introduction

02:50 Reframing Journalism's Role

06:05 Engaging Younger Audiences

08:52 Constructive Journalism: A New Approach

12:03 The Importance of Representation in Media

14:53 Navigating News Fatigue

18:14 The Challenge of Political Discourse

21:09 The Role of Optimism in Journalism

24:00 Media Literacy and Engagement

27:08 Avoiding Advocacy in Journalism

29:57 Constructive Journalism in Political Campaigns

33:00 End Credits

In Episode 10 of Voices of Australia, Scanlon Institute's CEO Anthea Hancocks unpacks the interdependency of health and social cohesion with two highly respected public health physicians. Healthcare leader and infectious disease expert Associate Professor Kudzai Kanhutu from the University of Melbourne and Royal Australasian College of Physicians, together with Professor Benjamin Cowie Professorial Fellow at the University of Melbourne and Infectious Diseases Physician at Doherty Institute, discuss the critical nature of access to primary healthcare and learnings gained from the healthcare response during Covid-19 through the lens of social cohesion. With an insightful discussion, A/Prof Kanhutu and Professor Cowie analyse aspects of the current healthcare system and where there is room for improvement as it relates to building a cohesive community.

Catchup on all our episodes: https://scanloninstitute.org.au/podcast

This episode features Anthea Hancocks, CEO of the Scanlon Foundation Research Institute interviewing journalist Peter Mares and Dr Cressida Gaukroger on the escalating issue of inequality in Australia, and its multifaceted impact on society, democracy, and social cohesion. The conversation explores the ways in which inequality is manifesting, particularly through the housing market, and the implications this has on Australian society.