Voices of Australia

Scanlon Foundation Research Institute

The Voices of Australia podcast explores all things interesting about Australian society. Join Anthea Hancocks, CEO of the Scanlon Foundation Research Institute, as she engages in thought-provoking conversations with experts in the field and influential community voices, shedding light on the intricacies of social cohesion in Australia. Tune in on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts as we uncover the stories that make Australia’s cohesion unique. Scanlon Institute acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

  1. APR 13

    Voices of Australia Podcast | Truth, Trust & Politics | Episode 6 | Truth, Trust, and the Future of Democracy

    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

    46 min

  2. APR 2

    Voices of Australia Podcast | Truth, Trust & Politics | Episode 5 | From Fear to Misinformation: The Politics of Social Media

    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

    34 min

  3. MAR 26

    Voices of Australia Podcast | Truth, Trust & Politics | Episode 4 | Building Trust in Political Communication

    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

    34 min

  4. MAR 19

    Voices of Australia Podcast | Truth, Trust & Politics | Episode 3 | Disconnected: Young Diverse Australians & Politics

    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

    48 min

  5. MAR 11

    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

    46 min

  6. MAR 5

    Voices of Australia Podcast | Truth, Trust & Politics | Episode 1 | Rebuilding Trust in Journalism

    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

    34 min

  7. 09/11/2024

    S3 E10 | Health and social cohesion: A symbiotic relationship

    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

    44 min

  8. 09/04/2024

    S3 E9 |  The impact of inequality on Australian society

    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.

    54 min
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About

The Voices of Australia podcast explores all things interesting about Australian society. Join Anthea Hancocks, CEO of the Scanlon Foundation Research Institute, as she engages in thought-provoking conversations with experts in the field and influential community voices, shedding light on the intricacies of social cohesion in Australia. Tune in on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts as we uncover the stories that make Australia’s cohesion unique. Scanlon Institute acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Information

  • Creator
    Scanlon Foundation Research Institute
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2025
  • Episodes
    39
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Scanlon Foundation Research Institute
  • Show Website
    Voices of Australia