This semester, Western Sydney University students participated in a dynamic workshop series designed by ABC Education and hosted by Parramatta Phive City Public Library, focused on how to critically engage with media and combat misinformation. The Making Sense of Misinformation and the Media workshop series included four interactive workshops that empowers students to better understand, identify, and address misinformation in today’s digital landscape. Led by Dr. Aimee Hourigan from ABC Education and the University’s Institute for Culture and Society, the series was supported by Associate Professor Tanya Notley from the School of humanities and communication arts, and PhD candidate Thilakshi Mallawa Arachchi. The final workshop, held on May 9 at ABC’s Parramatta Studios, featured a panel of prominent ABC journalists, including Sana Qadar (All in the Mind), Maddison Connaughton (Background Briefing), Amanda Shalala (ABC Sport), and Matt Martino (ABC News Verify), who shared their experiences in navigating and addressing misinformation in the media.
The Bachelor of Arts student Natan Bedrosian highlighted that the workshops were highly relevant in a time when misinformation and smartphone-driven social media spread rapidly. “Today, in the age of misinformation and when misinformation is occupying the screens of our phones and affecting the way society operates, the workshops gave us a clearer understanding of how to critically approach what we see online,” said Natan. “When scrolling through the comments section of social media, one often finds discrimination based on color, race, or gender. The workshops provided an orientation on misinformation to know how to approach similar situations.”
The Bachelor of Screen Media student Mohammad Noun reflected that the workshops were both educational and engaging. “We explored the subtleties of unreliable information—why it exists, how it spreads, and how to spot it—at a time when technology plays an increasingly central role in our lives,” said Mohammad. “The sessions introduced new techniques and frameworks to better understand and identify misinformation, such as lateral reading, the influence of algorithms, and various forms of bias.”
The workshop series is part of the Western Sydney University Australian Research Council funded Linkage project, Addressing Misinformation with Media Literacy. Led by Associate Professor Notley, the project aims to bring together leading Australian media literacy researchers from four national public cultural institutions to produce evidence-informed, engaging, and diverse opportunities to improve adult media literacy in Australia. The workshops were supported by ABC News and verified by journalist scientists, ensuring their relevance and impact.
Natan Bedrosian noted that the workshops were project-driven and educational, emphasizing the importance of engaging with evidence and critical thinking. The Bachelor of Arts student emphasized that the themes of misinformation and media literacy were making a real impact on students and professionals alike, offering valuable skills that are essential for navigating this increasingly globalized world.
Overall, the workshop series Affected from Central inconvenient phenomena around the web’s role in the ideas that shape modern society. It was a unique opportunity to empower participants with knowledge and skills that can help them in their personal and professional lives. The ABC Workshops held in Parramatta Studios were an integral part of the larger project, culminating in a series of guidance and resources that continue to support ABC’s work in addressing misinformation. Ultimately, the workshops highlighted the importance of critical media literacy in a world filled with information that can be easily manipulated. They also emphasized the need for libraries and media institutions to play an active role in fostering a more informed and engaged citizenry.