Google and AAP partner to support First Nations media address referendum myths

by Mediaweek

Posted on 4 September 2023

“Our project with Google allows us to support Indigenous audiences via the publications that serve their communities.”

As Australians prepare to vote on an Indigenous voice to parliament, AAP FactCheck and Google News Lab are collaborating to give Indigenous publications free, fact-based journalism addressing referendum falsehoods.

Publications aimed at Indigenous audiences are among those to benefit from fully-subsidised access to AAP FactCheck’s debunk articles and accompanying images throughout the lead-up to the historic referendum.

The project, which incorporates the work of Indigenous journalists, is the latest collaboration between Google and AAP FactCheck aimed at supporting diverse media and democratic processes.

It builds on the success of last year’s six-month project in which AAP FactCheck articles were translated into three different languages and provided free to dozens of relevant media ahead of the federal election.

“Ensuring people have accurate information on which to base their decisions is a fundamental concern for AAP FactCheck. In the lead up to a major electoral event like the voice referendum, this work takes on even greater significance,” AAP director of editorial partnerships Holly Nott said.

“Our project with Google allows us to include Indigenous fact-checkers, support Indigenous audiences via the publications that serve their communities, and expand the reach and potential impact of our work more generally.”

AAP FactCheck is an editorial unit of the national newswire, Australian Associated Press. It has been debunking misinformation and disinformation in Australia since 2019.

Google News Lab lead Uma Patel said: “As Australians head to the polls, quality and accurate information is essential – we know that national votes are a flash point for misinformation.

“Our partnership with AAP FactCheck is deliberately designed to support the news ecosystem, including First Nations journalists, with a powerful new way to address misinformation about the vote through the fact checks it will produce and distribute” she said.