ABC Education, Parramatta Library & Western Sydney University Tackle Misinformation
In an era where misinformation spreads faster than ever, ABC Education has taken a proactive step to equip young Australians with the tools to navigate the complex media landscape. This semester, in collaboration with Western Sydney University (WSU) and Parramatta Phive City Public Library, ABC Education launched the Making Sense of Misinformation and the Media workshop series—an initiative designed to foster critical media literacy among university students.
Led by Dr. Aimee Hourigan from ABC Education and supported by Western Sydney University’s Associate Professor Tanya Notley and PhD candidate Thilakshi Mallawa Arachchi, the series is part of a broader research project: Addressing Misinformation with Media Literacy. This project brings together leading Australian media literacy researchers with four national public cultural institutions to produce high-quality and diverse opportunities to improve adult media literacy in Australia.
Hosted at the vibrant Parramatta Phive City Public Library and culminating in a special session at ABC Parramatta Studios, the four-part workshop series brought together 15 WSU students for an immersive, hands-on learning experience. The final session featured a compelling panel of ABC journalists—Sana Qadar, Maddison Connaughton, Amanda Shalala, and Matt Martino—who shared insights from their work and discussed the real-world implications of misinformation.
From lateral reading techniques to understanding algorithmic influence and recognizing bias, the workshops introduced students to essential frameworks for identifying and addressing misinformation.
At its core, this initiative reflects ABC Education’s commitment to empowering young adults with the knowledge and confidence to critically engage with media and uphold the values of democracy and truth.
