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Check FAQAbout Austin
Austin is an Australian cross-platform journalist who began his career in Lebanon during the 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel. He worked in the region for a total of four years, for major outlets like The Diplomat, CBC, CBS, ABC (America), ABC (Australia), as well as independent and community media orgs. He covered events such as the turbulent 2009 Iranian presidential elections and the unrest in Egypt during 2011 and 2012. Mackell broke news of the arrest of Egyptian Alber Saber, an atheist arrested on blasphemy charges. His work in Egypt also included investigations into army deserters and worker-led dissent leading to his arrest and charges of incitement filed against him in 2012. Austin was also one of the earliest and most vociferous of the voices warning against a military coup of 2013, by which stage he had moved to Ecuador and begun work on founding the press accountability and transparency NGO ImportantCool, for which he as since produced works ranging from political analysis to gonzo documentaries on the psychedelic practices of Amazonian peoples. He is available for work across all journalistic platforms throughout the region. He has since returned to his home city of Australia, residing outside the national capital, Canberra near the NSW-Victoria border, in the famous bell-weather seat of Eden Monaro. He is available to report and comment on Australian and international news in any format.
Video Package (Web / Broadcast)
Audio package (Radio / Podcast)
Interview (Video / Broadcast)
Portfolio
Only Research Transparency Can Defeat Disinformation
The article discusses the importance of research transparency in journalism to combat disinformation. It critiques current initiatives that rely on lists and labels to signal trustworthiness, arguing that they fail to address the root issue of quality in journalism. The author highlights the need for transparency in the journalistic process, advocating for tools like Stone Transparency that capture the research process behind stories. The article emphasizes that transparency can lead to increased trust and accountability in media, ultimately helping to resolve the disinformation crisis.
I was wrong about the Al-Ahli hospital blast in Gaza. Israel didn’t do it. Al Jazeera should retract.
Austin G. Mackell admits to mistakenly attributing the Al-Ahli hospital blast in Gaza to an Israeli airstrike, based on initial reports from Al Jazeera and other sources. He now believes the explosion was likely caused by a misfired Palestinian rocket intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome. Mackell criticizes Al Jazeera for rushing to conclusions and not retracting their initial report. He underscores the importance of journalistic quality over bias and calls for a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict, emphasizing that neither side has the right to kill civilians.
Further Thoughts on Media Mind Control
The article critiques the role of media, including left-wing outlets, in demobilizing progressive majorities by failing to highlight widespread public support for policies like rent control. It argues that media often perpetuates disinformation and fails to accurately reflect public opinion, leading to apathy and disengagement. The author criticizes specific media figures and outlets for their role in this process and suggests that better methodological accountability in journalism could help address these issues.
Media Mind Control Doesn’t Work Like You Think It Does
The article explores the concept of media influence on public perception, arguing that the perceived power of media to shape opinions is often exaggerated. It uses polling data to illustrate how public opinion on issues like housing and rent control can be misrepresented or misunderstood. The author suggests that people often underestimate the extent to which their views align with the majority, leading to political decisions that do not reflect popular support. The article also discusses the dynamics between the Australian government and The Greens, highlighting how media narratives can impact political strategies and public expectations.
Grassroots Politics and Participatory Budgeting in Poland
Participatory budgeting in Poland has gained traction, with Milena Kowalska, a young councillor, advocating for its benefits in local governance. Originating from Porto Alegre, Brazil, this democratic process allows citizens to influence municipal budgets. In Poland, it has become mandatory for top-tier cities and popular in smaller municipalities. While successful in engaging communities, challenges include potential dominance by institutional projects like schools. To address this, funds are allocated to specific categories, ensuring diverse project support. Despite minor issues, participatory budgeting is seen as a successful democratic experiment.
Pirate is a State of Mind
Bailey Lamon's encounter with law enforcement over a minor act of vandalism catalyzed her journey into digital democracy and the Pirate Party. The article explores her involvement with the Canadian Pirate Party and Pirate Parties International, highlighting the use of digital tools and the challenges faced by these organizations. Despite setbacks, such as the Canadian party's deregistration, the Pirate movement has seen successes in Europe and continues to advocate for digital rights and transparency. The narrative underscores the party's commitment to its core values amidst evolving political landscapes.
Video Bibliographies as proof of life.
The article discusses the growing concern over distinguishing human-generated content from AI-generated content, particularly in journalism and academia. Stone Transparency offers a solution through its video bibliography system, which allows users to capture and share their research process, providing verifiable proof of human involvement. The text highlights the importance of transparency and authenticity in combating disinformation and emphasizes the role of human oversight in maintaining trust in the information ecosystem. The article also reveals that part of it was written by the AI language model ChatGPT, underscoring the collaborative potential between humans and AI.
Greens Senator Calls for “Pause” to Rate Rises, Has Four Properties, Four Mortgages
The deputy leader of the Greens in the Australian senate, who is also the economic justice spokesperson, called for a pause on the Reserve Bank of Australia's rate hikes, which the author criticizes as a policy that would benefit asset owners at the expense of the poorest members of society. The author suggests that the senator's position may be influenced by a conflict of interest, as he owns four properties with mortgages, and rate hikes would directly affect him financially. The senator's stance is seen as aligning with asset owners and those in debt, which includes a significant portion of the Greens' constituency, particularly educated urban millennial professionals.
Defining Public Knowledge; Accuracy is not Enough
The article addresses the crisis of trust in the public sphere, highlighting the findings of the Edelman Trust Barometer, which shows mixed levels of trust in media and institutions globally. It emphasizes the need for justified beliefs over mere accuracy and proposes a solution through a tool called Stone, designed to enhance transparency and accountability in journalism. The author argues that this approach can rebuild public trust and empower both journalists and the public by providing verifiable evidence and reducing reliance on institutional authority.
Egyptian protesters mount an overturned car.
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Dec 2014