Things are looking increasingly shaky for democracy globally. Our media world has been distorted by social media, with misinformation circulating freely and populist currents intensifying.
The recent US presidential race revealed a deeply divided nation where both sides of politics have their own partisan media spruikers and often their own facts. In Australia, trust in institutions is in decline, attitudes to immigration have hardened and social cohesion continues to track at its lowest level since the Scanlon Foundation began measuring it in 2007. In New Zealand, media outlets are closing and an emerging debate about the Treaty of Waitangi chimes perfectly with the populist playbook.
Increased use of online and social media is driving these trends. A recent article in Politico highlighted the way people who get their information from legacy media like The New York Times form different political views to those who favour social media.
SUPPORTING | Fact-based news
“Open societies thrive on press freedom, vigorous debate, and evidence-based policymaking.” - Chris Patten, former governor of Hong Kong
For the US reporters fact-checking claims that Haitian migrants are eating pets, this must seem like a dream from a more innocent age. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
The Conversation provides clearly-sourced and reliable information online. We do this by teaming academics with journalists to deliver research-based news and analysis. Our stories are accurate, unbiased and free.
We cover everything from science to arts to business, climate change and politics, and we make our work available at no cost because we believe that for democracy to thrive, people must have access to trustworthy information. Providing this information helps us create a more constructive public conversation.
Our team in Australia and New Zealand collaborates with nine editions worldwide to bring you the best information and the latest groundbreaking research on global issues. We know that what we’re doing is making a long-term difference because we measure the impact it has in the public square and on the policymakers who read us.
Each day we continue to build a body of evidence that can help underpin a healthy political discourse. But because we give away our work for free we need your help to secure our team into the future.
MAKING | A donation
That’s why I am asking you to consider giving. Donor support can help bring people together and improve the quality of our political discourse. An open society that thrives on vigorous debate and evidence-based policymaking is worth striving for – and with Donor help, we can make it a reality.
Kind regards,
Misha Ketchell, Editor