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