The Matter of Facts: Knowing Who and What to trust in a Post-Truth World
Description
In a soon to be released three-part ABC television series, The Matter of Facts, journalist Hamish Macdonald is on a truth-seeking mission; traversing slippery facts and shaky ground to learn how we might navigate our way safely in a post-truth digital world.
In the series, Hamish takes part in a social experiment with 20 Australians to explore the personal impact of the opaque and manipulative digital ecosystems we inhabit, while he travels the world to understand how disinformation is damaging our democracies and to explore why so many people believe AI poses the greatest threat of all.
This special Western Sydney University event takes place the week of the series launch. Hamish will share clips from the series and join an expert panel to discuss how universities and communities can take the reins to address the many challenges posed by disinformation.
Panelists: Hamish Macdonald, journalist, ABC; Tosca Looby, journalist, ABC; Paula Kruger, CEO, Media Diversity Australia; Julia Bell, student journalist, WSU; Prof Tanya Notley, misinformation and media literacy researcher, WSU.
Moderator: A/Prof Leo Robba, Engagement Lead, School of Arts, WSU
Event Host: Prof John Juriansz, Whitlam Institute
Meet the Panelists
Hamish Macdonald
Hamish Macdonald is an award-winning journalist who has covered wars, disasters, and major world events. He hosts Mornings on ABC Radio Sydney and is co-host of Global Roaming on ABC Radio National. Hamish has won numerous awards including a Walkley for current affairs journalism. Outside of Australia he has worked for Channel 4 News in the UK, Al Jazeera English, and America's ABC where he was International Affairs Correspondent.
Tosca Looby
Tosca is Series Director, Writer and Producer for The Matter of Facts. She has written and directed a cross section of Northern Pictures' most acclaimed and awarded output, including: The Jury: Death on the Staircase (SBS), Asking For It (SBS), See What You Made Me Do (SBS) and nationwide blue-chip natural history series, Magical Land of Oz (ABC, BBC & PBS). Tosca also made the feature documentary Strong Female Lead (SBS) which charts the besieged leadership of Australia’s one and only female PM.
Paula Kruger
Paula Kruger is an accomplished media leader and communicator with more than 30 years of experience. Before joining Media Diversity Australia as CEO, Paula served as the Managing Director of Sydney radio station 2SER and enjoyed a long career with the ABC, working in management, editorial, and on-air roles in Sydney, Canberra, and Perth. Paula is currently training culturally and linguistically diverse community leaders to respond to mis- and disinformation.
Julia Bell
Julia Bell has studied at Western Sydney University since 2019, completing a Bachelors in Screen Media (Arts and Production) and currently studying a Master of Marketing. In this time she has worked on the editorial team of W’SUP News, the student publication at Western, for 3 years.
Tanya Notley
Tanya Notley is Professor in the School of Arts. She is internationally recognised for her extensive experience working with NGOs, government agencies, universities and the United Nations agencies in the areas of digital inclusion and media literacy. She serves on media literacy project advisory panels for several organisations and is co-founder the Australian Media Literacy Alliance. She leads the Addressing Misinformation using Media Literacy project, which partners with public cultural institutions.
Leo Robba
Leo Robba is Associate Professor in the School of Arts. He is an accomplished designer, academic and practicing artist. Prior to joining academia, Leo worked as a news designer and art director, contributing to over 40 leading Australian publications, including The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, The Bulletin, and Australian Business Magazine. Leo is drawing on these industry connections to develop an exciting new student-centered newsroom at Western, which will launch mid 2026.
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