The branch-stacking scandal: How the fourth estate safeguards Australian democracy

Traditional media outlets have suffered as a result of COVID-19, but the recent revelations of corruption within the Victorian Labor Party by investigative journalists underlines once again the vital role they play in protecting our democracy.

China’s twitter war against the West

The Chinese government deploys propaganda and disinformation against the West to pursue its strategic goals, and Twitter has become a major battleground.

Just the facts, Ma’am

Fake news has proliferated around COVID-19, so how can scientists cut through the misinformation about the pandemic to inform the public of the facts?

Schools should teach media literacy

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of teaching students the difference between real and fake or misleading news say the authors of a new report into news media literacy education.

Holding politicians to account

As the pandemic deepens the long-term financial woes of the news media in both Australia and the United States, it has also proved a timely reminder of the vital work of political journalism in democracies:

The truth is out there

COVID-19 has generated an information – and misinformation – overload. But what people need are updates that are relevant, concise and don’t offer false hope.

Arvanitakis on American politics: Don’t believe the social media hype

Promoting online literacy for young people and demanding social media quickly responds to fake news are worthwhile goals, but they do not deal with the underlying dissatisfaction which allows fake news to take root.

Recovering from “NEWS” Syndrome

COVID-19 has disrupted every aspect of our lives but our hunger for constant updates may cause more stress than reassurance. Relying on trusted sources, and turning off the news every now and then for family time can help us strike a better balance in our lives.

COVID-19 denial is spreading on social media

Governments and health authorities should take steps to tackle the growing pockets of coronavirus denialism within their communities, as a war against this invisible enemy cannot be won if people don’t believe it exists.

Why it’s so hard to fight online misinformation

Before sharing something, think carefully about where it came from. Verify the source and its evidence, double-check with independent other sources, and report suspicious content to the platform directly. Now, more than ever, we need information we can trust.

Fake news in the age of COVID-19

Over the last four years, “fake news” has become an everyday expression, but what effect are misinformation spread by the public and disinformation pushed by hostile states having on our perceptions of COVID-19?

Fake news can be fatal

The deluge of fake news around coronavirus is a pandemic in itself, and if enough fake news consumers act upon the false beliefs or uncertainties being spread, it has the potential to be just as lethal.