Political hostility and misinformation – media literacy matters more than ever

Political hostility and misinformation – media literacy matters more than ever

Following growing evidence of political hostility, online misinformation, and an attack on MP Helen Haines, an RMIT expert says Australians need strong media literacy skills to navigate an increasingly complex information environment and to reduce harms caused by declining trust in public discourse. 

Associate Professor T.J. Thomson, School of Media and Communication: 

“Misinformation is here to stay, and it's a problem Australians need to learn how to live with. We can do this by enhancing our collective media literacy: our ability to question, analyse, interpret, evaluate, and exercise appropriate judgement about what we see online. 

“When public debate becomes increasingly polarised, and misinformation is spread through digital platforms, media literacy becomes an especially essential skill. 

"Unfortunately, it's a skill that most Australians struggle with. A nationally representative information verification test recently found that 97% of Australian adults either have no or very low ability to verify online information across a range of forms, from text to visuals. 

“Because it is impossible to fully eradicate misinformation, we need to address it through cultivating individuals’ media literacy, as well as changes to government regulation, the design and operation of big tech platforms, and the role of journalists to provide trusted news and information. 

“It is heartening to see the Australian Government is in the early stages of consultation for a national media literacy strategy and it is imperative that the government embeds media literacy education into the modern Australian school curriculum while this broad, non-partisan public support exists.” 

Read the report: Living with Misinformation: A Media Literacy Approach [https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003674290] 

Dr T.J. Thomson is an associate professor and Australian Research Council DECRA Fellow at RMIT, where he co-leads The News, Technology, and Society Network. His research is united by its focus on visual communication. 

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General media enquiries: RMIT External Affairs and Media, 0439 704 077 or news@rmit.edu.au

22 October 2026

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Political hostility and misinformation – media literacy matters more than ever

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