This week, Brisbane became a central hub for discussions on the importance of information integrity as Griffith University, in collaboration with the United Nations, hosted the DISINFO Pacific Conference at its South Bank Campus. With pressing topics such as democratic resilience, public health, and climate action at the forefront, the event brought together policymakers, researchers, journalists, and students to address the rising impact of misinformation in the Australia-Pacific region.
The two-day event, co-sponsored by the European Union, featured keynote speeches from prominent global voices, including Melissa Fleming, UN Under Secretary General for Global Communications and Tanya Plibersek, Minister for the Environment and Water. These leaders, along with an esteemed line-up of panellists from Pacific Island nations and Australian government and universities, addressed the conference’s three pivotal themes: the effects of misinformation and wilful disinformation on democracy, health, and climate. The event’s focus on practical solutions and regional experiences highlighted the importance of cross-sector collaboration in mitigating the harmful effects of disinformation.
A regional approach to global challenges
Experts shared insights on the dangers disinformation poses to democracies worldwide, especially in a year where nearly half the world’s nations are holding elections. These discussions addressed how false narratives erode trust in political systems, disrupt public discourse, and influence election outcomes. A dedicated panel on democratic resilience, led by Griffith University’s Associate Professor Lee Morgenbesser, explored tactics for fortifying electoral processes in the Pacific against misinformation.
Public health concerns took centre stage as well, with discussions on how mis- and disinformation—especially pervasive during the COVID-19 pandemic—continues to challenge trust in medical guidance and government health policies. Managing the Infodemic, a panel moderated by Professor Sara Davies, explored strategies to combat health-related misinformation while strengthening community trust in health authorities.
Climate change, a crisis that crosses borders and impacts ecosystems worldwide, was another focal point of the conference. Disinformation surrounding climate science and policy can delay crucial environmental action and breed public distrust. Professor Brendan Mackey led a panel on The Climate Crisis and Disinformation, bringing together voices from the environmental sector to address the role of clear, factual information in advancing climate resilience.
Dr Ferran Martinez i Coma, expert on electoral integrity and political behavior, moderated an insightful panel on Safeguarding Elections from Disinformation. The panel explored strategies to counteract disinformation’s influence on voter perceptions, foster transparent communication between government agencies and the public, and ensure fair electoral outcomes across the Australia-Pacific region.
Innovative solutions and future strategies
The conference took a three-tiered approach: “What have we seen?”, “What have we learned?”, and “What can we do?”. This format allowed participants to examine past and current disinformation challenges, assess effective practices, and collaborate on future-oriented solutions. Interactive sessions encouraged attendees to contribute ideas for actionable strategies, underscoring the importance of global knowledge-sharing to counter this growing threat in the Pacific.
With a commitment to youth involvement, the conference welcomed some 50 university students and a select group of local high school students to engage directly with experts in discussions, acknowledging the vital role young leaders play in shaping an informed, resilient society.
“Participating in the DISINFO Pacific Conference has been an invaluable experience, offering us a unique platform to engage with global experts and leaders across sectors. The conference’s focus on the intersection of disinformation with democracy, public health, and climate action has not only deepened our understanding of these critical issues but also inspired us to contribute actively towards strengthening information integrity in our communities and beyond.”
Soraya Abdel Aal, President of Griffith University Voices of International Affairs.
As the conference concluded, participants left with a renewed focus on practical, collaborative approaches to address the ongoing challenges of disinformation.
“This conference has represented a tremendous opportunity to focus academic and practical expertise on some of the most pressing problems facing societies today, in Australia and the Pacific, but also worldwide,” said Professor Luis Cabrera of the Griffith University organising team. “We come away not only with a better understanding of how pervasive the challenges from misinformation and disinformation have become, but also a much better understanding of how they can be effectively addressed.”
