In September this year, the Nobel-prize-winning journalist Maria Ressa gave a powerful speech to the National Press Club about the ways in which authoritarians manipulate social media.
She called for the Australian government to bolster the regulation of technology platforms and issued a stark warning.
“The greatest threat we face today isn’t any individual leader or one government. It’s the technology that’s amplifying authoritarian tactics worldwide, enabled by democratic governments that abdicated their responsibility to protect the public … Tech platforms have become weapons of mass destruction to democracy.”
Ressa is right. We all consume content served up by these platforms, and we are all at risk from misinformation and disinformation. But this is even truer for younger generations who have little experience of journalism before social media. They need access to trustworthy information on the platforms they use.
That is why The Conversation wants to invest in producing content from academic experts on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and other social platforms. We want to commission fast, accessible, evidence-based explainers that meet people when they most need clarity. In a sea of misinformation and agenda-driven spin, we want to give the truth a fighting chance.
Two of our valued supporters, the Sue Beeton Fund and the Koshland Innovation Fund, understand the urgency of our mission. For the next two weeks, they will match every donation from our readers. This means that if you give again now, the impact will be doubled.
THANKING | Supporters of The Conversation
In normal times, this might be a “shorts and thongs” sort of day as we wind down for the Christmas break. Instead, we are shell-shocked. The Bondi attack shattered our sense of safety and forced us to confront difficult questions about how something like this can happen and how we can stop it from happening again.
Our team has been working hard to produce sober analysis and reporting, grounded in evidence and drawing on deep expertise. Their commitment has been underpinned by the belief that journalism is a form of public service. Our aim, as always, is to be constructive, not divisive. We focus on solving problems rather than amplifying them.
I am proud of our work this week, and throughout 2025. It’s made possible by the selflessness of many people, and I want to thank them all.
Thank you to our hundreds of thousands of thoughtful and generous readers who see the value of reliable information and who care enough to help us provide it.
Sincere thanks to every academic who found the time to write an article and share their expertise this year.
Thanks to our university partners and philanthropic funders who work so hard to make a positive difference.
Thanks also to the volunteer board members and my colleagues in editorial, administration and technology, who are so committed and principled and lovely to work with.
Special thanks to all the people who became monthly donors this December and to the thousands more who supported us with tax-deductible gifts throughout the year. (And if you haven’t donated yet to our end-of-year campaign, you still can.)
Finally, from everyone in the team here, we wish you a joyous and peaceful Christmas. May 2026 be a better year, one in which we live together without violence and we care as much for those around us as we do for ourselves.
SUPPORTING | Our work
I hope you will consider helping us secure the resources we need to do this work. Your support will help make expert knowledge accessible and protect us from the shysters, charlatans and shills who distort public debate.
Best wishes,
Misha Ketchell, Editor