Students tackle misinformation in innovative workshop series with ABC Education
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 empowered 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 9 May 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.
Bachelor of Arts student Natan Bedrosian said the workshops were highly relevant in a time when misinformation frequently spreads via smartphones and social media.
“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, you often see discrimination based on colour, race or gender. The workshops provided an orientation on misinformation to know how to approach similar situations.
“The workshops also reinforced my passion to continue my studies and specialise in politics, to help improve the lives of everyday people.”
Bachelor of Screen Media student Mohammad Noun said 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 skills I gained will be valuable both personally and professionally, helping me ensure that the stories or information I share don't contribute to the cycle of misinformation.”
The workshop series is part of a Western Sydney University Australian Research Council funded Linkage project, Addressing Misinformation with Media Literacy (opens in a new window). Led by Associate Professor Notley, this project brings together leading Australian media literacy researchers with four national public cultural institutions to produce evidence-informed, engaging and diverse opportunities to improve adult media literacy in Australia.
ENDS
26 May 2025
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