Like so many stories about misinformation, this one starts with a social media post. 

“Australia is making a terrible humanitarian mistake by allowing the Iran National Woman’s Soccer team to be forced back to Iran, where they will most likely be killed. Don’t do it, Mr. Prime Minister, give ASYLUM.”

Not long after that, Donald Trump backtracked and set the record straight. 

“He’s on it! Five have already been taken care of, and the rest are on their way.”

But in those few short hours before clarification, misinformation had already taken hold.

Social media posts accusing Australia of inaction on the soccer team, and falsely claiming Albanese lied to Trump about granting the women asylum gained millions of views on X.

Meanwhile, news commentary which wrongly portrayed Trump as triggering Albanese’s decision hit the mainstream media.

It’s just one recent example of the wave of misinformation making it increasingly difficult for all of us to work out what is and isn't factual in this ‘post truth’ world.

Today ABC journalist and host of new doco ‘The Matter of Facts’ Hamish Macdonald on the misinformation and disinformation taking over our online world.

 

If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.

 

Socials:Stay in touch with us on Instagram

Guest: Hamish Macdonald, ABC journalist

Photo: Samuel Corum/Sipa USA

Like so many stories about misinformation, this one starts with a social media post.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Australia is making a terrible humanitarian mistake by allowing the Iran National Woman&rsquo;s Soccer team to be forced back to Iran, where they will most likely be killed. Don&rsquo;t do it, Mr. Prime Minister, give ASYLUM.&rdquo;
Not long after that, Donald Trump backtracked and set the record straight.&nbsp;
&ldquo;He&rsquo;s on it! Five have already been taken care of, and the rest are on their way.&rdquo;
But in those few short hours before clarification, misinformation had already taken hold.
Social media posts accusing Australia of inaction on the soccer team, and falsely claiming Albanese lied to Trump about granting the women asylum gained millions of views on X.
Meanwhile, news commentary which wrongly portrayed Trump as triggering Albanese&rsquo;s decision hit the mainstream media.
It&rsquo;s just one recent example of the wave of misinformation making it increasingly difficult for all of us to work out what is and isn't factual in this &lsquo;post truth&rsquo; world.
Today ABC journalist and host of new doco &lsquo;The Matter of Facts&rsquo; Hamish Macdonald on the misinformation and disinformation taking over our online world.
&nbsp;
If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at <a href="http://7ampodcast.com.au/support">7ampodcast.com.au/support</a>.
&nbsp;
Socials: Stay in touch with us on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/7ampodcast">Instagram</a>
Guest: Hamish Macdonald, ABC journalist
Photo:&nbsp;Samuel Corum/Sipa USA

An independent daily news show. We feature the country’s best reporters, covering the news as it affects Australia. This is news with narrative, every weekday.

An independent daily news show. We feature the country&rsquo;s best reporters, covering the news as it affects Australia. This is news with narrative, every weekday.

A daily news show from the publisher of The Monthly and The Saturday Paper.

A daily news show from the publisher of The Monthly and The Saturday Paper. Hear from the country’s best reporters, covering the news as it affects Australia. This is news with narrative, every weekday.

Disinformation Wars and a ‘Post Truth’ World

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/43f7fd95-0a8b-46ad-8951-b41300689746/transcript