The National Science and Technology Council has released a series of reports examining how resilience to misinformation can be strengthened in Australia.
The reports explore why people are susceptible to misinformation and how to build resilience at individual, community and societal levels. They found that misinformation poses a risk to Australia’s social cohesion, democratic resilience and decision making.
Key insights:
• Susceptibility to misinformation is shaped by human psychology, trust, and how people process information.
• Resilience can be strengthened by information and media literacy, supported by education, public awareness and community-based initiatives.
• Mental and physical health, social connection and trust play an important role in people’s capacity to assess information.
• A shared understanding of basic facts and trusted sources supports social cohesion and democratic resilience.
The synthesis report provides an overview of the findings. The four supporting reports provide detailed analysis, references and discipline specific findings.
Download the synthesis report:
Synthesis report – Information resilience: understanding and protecting against misinformation PDF
Synthesis report – Information resilience: understanding and protecting against misinformation DOCX
Download the supporting reports:
Information resilience: how misinformation undermines social cohesion, trust and democracy PDF
Information resilience: how misinformation undermines social cohesion, trust and democracy DOCX
Information resilience: a framework for misinformation interventions PDF
Information resilience: a framework for misinformation interventions DOCX
Information resilience: the role of cultural and community institutions PDF
Information resilience: the role of cultural and community institutions DOCX
Information resilience: the impact of mental and physical health on resilience to misinformation PDF
Information resilience: the impact of mental and physical health on resilience to misinformation DOCX