Misinformation is spreading faster than facts, and trust in both politicians and the media is at an all-time low. In this final episode of Truth, Trust & Politics, Mary Gearin is joined by Jon Faine to unpack how the decline of traditional media, the influence of social media, and the rise of fear-driven narratives have reshaped political trust.

With legacy media struggling to maintain credibility, and new digital voices driving both engagement and division, the conversation highlights the challenges of political accountability, the increasing demand for transparency, and the role of effective public health messaging in restoring confidence. As voter expectations evolve, they discuss what needs to change for democracy to thrive in this new media era.

About Jon Faine

Jon Faine is a Vice Chancellors Fellow at the University of Melbourne for 2022 and 2023, attached to The Melbourne Law School but with a roving commission across the entire university.

Until October 2019 Jon Faine was the host of the agenda-setting morning broadcast for ABC Radio in Melbourne for over twenty years. Before joining the ABC in 1989 to host ‘The Law Report’ on Radio National, Jon had  practiced for seven years in both commercial litigation and as a legal aid/human rights advocate. Countless conference presentations, panel moderations, MC duties, guest lectures and public events complement his legal and media career. Add to that a best selling travel book, several oral history publications, multiple opinion and commentary pieces for major newspapers, regular TV appearances and guest radio spots, as well as being script advisor for several films completes his diverse career.

For over thirty years, Jon has been in demand for conference keynote speeches, presentations, facilitation, and panel moderation. Specialising in complex matters of public policy, strategy, legal issues, technological challenge or cultural clashes, his work has covered every imaginable field.