Journalism education ‘truth’ challenges An age of growing hate, intolerance and disinformation

Abstract

This keynote commentary at the 2021 Asian Congress for Media and Communication (ACMC) conference with the theme Change, Adaptation and Culture: Media and Communication in Pandemic Times is addressed through a discussion of three main issues: 1. The COVID-19 Pandemic and how it is being coped with; 2. A parallel Infodemic—a crisis of communication, and the surge of ‘disinformation’ and truth challenges in this ‘age of hatred and intolerance’; and 3. The global Climate Emergency and the disproportionate impact this is having on the Asia-Pacific region. Finally the author concludes with an overview of some helpful strategies for communicators and educa-tors from his perspective as a journalist and media academic with a mission.1.