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
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