Disinformation Wars and a ‘Post Truth’ World

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Recorded22 Mar 2026

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Like so many stories about misinformation, this one starts with a social media post. “Australia is making a terrible humanitarian mistake by allowing the Iran National Woman’s Soccer team to be forced back to Iran, where they will most likely be killed. Don’t do it, Mr. Prime Minister, give ASYLUM.” Not long after that, Donald Trump backtracked and set the record straight. “He’s on it! Five have already been taken care of, and the rest are on their way.” But in those few short hours before clarification, misinformation had already taken hold. Social media posts accusing Australia of inaction on the soccer team, and falsely claiming Albanese lied to Trump about granting the women asylum gained millions of views on X. Meanwhile, news commentary which wrongly portrayed Trump as triggering Albanese’s decision hit the mainstream media. It’s just one recent example of the wave of misinformation making it increasingly difficult for all of us to work out what is and isn't factual in this ‘post truth’ world. Today ABC journalist and host of new doco ‘The Matter of Facts’ Hamish Macdonald on the misinformation and disinformation taking over our online world. If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support. Socials: Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: Hamish Macdonald, ABC journalist Photo: Samuel Corum/Sipa USASee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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