The Voices of Australia podcast explores all things interesting about social cohesion in Australia. Hosted by the Scanlon Institute CEO Anthea Hancocks and Below the Surface Magazine Founder, Lydia Tesema this podcast is filled with insightful perspectives from a range of diverse voices on how to create a cohesive society.
This first series of the podcast explores the question ‘What is Social Cohesion?’ Our aim is not to define the concept, but to challenge listeners to rethink this all-encompassing term and reflect on their own personal and professional relationship with social cohesion.
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The Voices of Australia podcast explores all things interesting about social cohesion in Australia. Hosted by the Scanlon Institute CEO Anthea Hancocks and Below the Surface Magazine Founder, Lydia Tesema this podcast is filled with insightful perspectives from a range of diverse voices on how to create a cohesive society.
This first series of the podcast explores the question ‘What is Social Cohesion?’ Our aim is not to define the concept, but to challenge listeners to rethink this all-encompassing term and reflect on their own personal and professional relationship with social cohesion.
Voices of Australia Podcast | Truth, Trust & Politics | Episode 2 | Misinformation & Political Disengagement
Voices of Australia
46 minutes 3 seconds
7 months ago
Voices of Australia Podcast | Truth, Trust & Politics | Episode 2 | Misinformation & Political Disengagement
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
Voices of Australia
The Voices of Australia podcast explores all things interesting about social cohesion in Australia. Hosted by the Scanlon Institute CEO Anthea Hancocks and Below the Surface Magazine Founder, Lydia Tesema this podcast is filled with insightful perspectives from a range of diverse voices on how to create a cohesive society.
This first series of the podcast explores the question ‘What is Social Cohesion?’ Our aim is not to define the concept, but to challenge listeners to rethink this all-encompassing term and reflect on their own personal and professional relationship with social cohesion.
