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