Media literacy and misinformation

We are surrounded by information. News arrives through social feeds, group chats, search results, video platforms, podcasts and AI tools, often stripped of the context that would help us judge it. Most of it is harmless, and much of it is valuable. But false and misleading information, manipulated images and video, and scams designed to look legitimate are all common.

Media literacy is the ability to access, analyse, evaluate and create media. This guide offers practical skills for judging information online, spotting common tricks and scams, and knowing where to go for help in Australia.

Why false information spreads

False information spreads for many reasons. Content that triggers strong emotions, such as outrage, fear or amusement, tends to be shared more. Platforms often recommend content that keeps people engaged. People are more likely to believe and share information that fits their existing views. Breaking news creates an information vacuum that rumours fill. Some actors deliberately spread disinformation for political, financial or ideological reasons, sometimes using fake accounts to make claims seem popular.

Most people who share misinformation do so in good faith, believing it is true and helpful. That's why simple checks before sharing make a real difference.

Questions to ask about any source

When you come across a claim, ask:

• Who made this? Is the author or publisher identifiable? What is their expertise and track record? Do they have a reason to persuade you?
• What is the evidence? Are there named sources, data, documents or recordings? Can you trace the claim to its original source?
• What do other sources say? Do reputable outlets, experts or official bodies report the same thing? A major story covered by only one obscure site deserves caution.
• When was it published? Old stories, photos and videos are often recirculated as if new.
• Is it news, opinion or advertising? Opinion pieces, sponsored content and press releases can look like news.
• How does it make you feel? If a post makes you angry or afraid, pause before sharing.

Lateral reading

Professional fact-checkers often use a technique called lateral reading. Instead of studying a single website closely to judge whether it is trustworthy, they open new tabs and search for what other sources say about the website, the author and the claim. A slick-looking site can be unreliable, and a plain one can be authoritative. Looking outward is usually faster and more accurate.

Checking images and video

Images and video are powerful but easy to misuse. Common problems include genuine photos shown with a false caption or from a different event, edited or cropped images, and fully synthetic images and video created with AI.

• Use a reverse image search to see where an image first appeared.
• Look for the original upload of a video and check the date and location claimed.
• Check for signs of editing, such as inconsistent shadows, warped backgrounds or odd details in hands, text and reflections.
• Look for reporting from reputable outlets or fact-checkers.

Deepfakes and AI-generated content

AI tools can now create realistic images, video, audio and text. Deepfakes, which are synthetic media that make it appear someone said or did something they didn't, are used in scams, harassment and disinformation. Voice cloning has been used to impersonate family members and executives asking for money.

Visual flaws are becoming harder to spot, so focus on verification. Check the source, look for corroboration and be wary of urgent requests, even if the voice or face seems familiar. Agree on a family code word for emergencies. The eSafety Commissioner can help if you are the target of image-based abuse, including deepfakes.

Scams

Scams are a form of deception designed to steal money or personal information. Common online scams in Australia include:

• Phishing: messages pretending to be from banks, government agencies, delivery companies or toll roads, asking you to click a link or provide details.
• Investment scams: fake trading platforms and cryptocurrency schemes, often promoted with fake celebrity endorsements and deepfake videos.
• Romance scams: scammers build relationships online and then ask for money.
• Shopping scams: fake online stores and marketplace listings.
• Impersonation scams: messages from someone claiming to be a family member with a new number.
• Job scams: offers of easy online work that require payment or personal information.

Warning signs include unexpected contact, pressure to act quickly, requests for payment by gift card, cryptocurrency or bank transfer, requests for remote access to your computer and offers that seem too good to be true. Stop, check and protect: don't click links in unexpected messages, contact the organisation using details you find yourself, and act quickly if something goes wrong.

If you've been scammed

Contact your bank or payment provider immediately. Report the scam to Scamwatch, and report cybercrime to ReportCyber. Change passwords and enable two-factor authentication. IDCARE provides free support for people whose identity information has been compromised.

How platforms and regulators respond

Major digital platforms have signed a voluntary industry code of practice on disinformation and misinformation, committing to measures such as reporting tools, fact-check labels and transparency reports, and ACMA has oversight of the arrangements. Platforms also remove content that breaches their policies. The eSafety Commissioner administers the Online Safety Act 2021, covering serious cyberbullying of children, adult cyber abuse, image-based abuse and illegal and restricted content. The National Anti-Scam Centre in the ACCC coordinates efforts against scams with government, industry and law enforcement.

Teaching media literacy

Media literacy is increasingly taught in Australian schools, and libraries, community organisations and broadcasters offer resources for all ages. For families, talk openly about what children see online, explore how ads and algorithms work together, and model good habits, such as checking before sharing.

Using AI tools carefully

AI chatbots and search summaries can be useful starting points, but they can produce confident-sounding errors and invented sources. Check important facts against primary sources, such as official websites, original research and reputable news reports, before relying on them.

Common mistakes

• Sharing based on a headline without reading the story.
• Trusting a source because it looks professional.
• Assuming a familiar voice or face proves a message is real.
• Clicking links in unexpected messages.
• Feeling too embarrassed to report a scam.

Key points

Ask who made a piece of content, what evidence supports it and what other sources say. Read laterally, trace images to their source, be cautious about AI-generated media, watch for scam warning signs and report scams to Scamwatch and cybercrime to ReportCyber.