We all need good information to make good decisions. We recognise that misinformation is a growing area of concern for many. Misinformation is a big barrier to people understanding the issues that matter, and it's likely to play a bigger role in this election than any before.

Workers are disproportionately harmed by misinformation, so this is a space where unions and members alike must act.

What is misinformation and why does it matter?

Misinformation is information that is incorrect and misleading. It isn’t always shared with the intention to mislead but can be done without realising that it is happening.

Misinformation damages our trust in and connection to others. It compromises decision making and undermines our democratic process.

The more exposed we are to a piece of information or idea, the more we come to understand it as true. With repetition of information, from multiple sources, it’s easy for this misinformation to become familiar. We become less sceptical, and with time we come to understand it as true.

How do you counter misinformation?

Being able to have productive, non-conformational conversations in real life or on social media is an important skill for combating misinformation. At a minimum, an effective conversation will leave people open to considering true information. If the conversation happens where other people can see or hear it, you’ll benefit people listening or observing, even the person you talk to isn’t open to accurate information.

These conversations are hard to have…

We know how tricky these conversations can be. The good news is there are tested ways to counter misinformation. The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions (NZCTU) wanted to provide workers with the resources they need to identify and counter misinformation.

In conjunction with The Workshop, the NZCTU have developed a 90-minute workshop that will help you identify the different types of misinformation. You’ll also learn and practice the most effective ways to talk about misinformation at work, and with the people you care about.

The aim is to provide a useful and helpful approach to talking about the big issues of our time.

You will leave this workshop with techniques to counter misinformation and deepen understanding of the issues that matter for all New Zealanders this election.

With free trainings occurring in September and October, make sure you register for a workshop here:

https://fighting-back-against-misinformation.lilregie.com/booking/attendees/new

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