Countering violent extremism

A ‘Roundtable Discussion on Media and Violent Extremism’ was held at the University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo NSW, on Friday, 29 July 2022. The event was planned and executed by the Centre for Media Transition and sponsored by the New South Wales Department of Premier and Cabinet. 

The purpose of the event was to:

  • facilitate a discussion among journalists, policy makers, academics, the tech industry 
    and community representatives on key issues around how terrorists and extremists 
    use and exploit the media to amplify their messages, and how they use disinformation 
    tactics;
  • understand whether, and if so, how, Australian media may be platforming extremists;
  • understand how media coverage of extremism and the government’s stance impact 
    minority communities in Australia, especially Muslim community;
  • share expert insight on some of the ways extremists and terrorists use technology to 
    their benefit, including the recruitment of young Australians from overseas, spreading 
    disinformation, misinformation, and mal-information;
  • identify key challenges in devising and implementing counterstrategies to map and 
    combat these digital mobilisation attempts;
  • understand how editors and journalists cover extremism and terrorism in Australia, and 
    define their key challenges and experiences; and
  • gauge if there was an appetite to find agreement on a set of principles upon which 
    Australian newsrooms can agree when reporting on extremism and terrorism. 

The roundtable was an all-day closed event held under Chatham House Rule. It was attended by 33 participants, including panellists, keynote speakers, delegates and CMT moderators. Two delegates joined via Zoom. All keynote speakers and panellists were invited by the CMT, while all delegates in attendance were invited on the joint 
recommendations of the corresponding teams at the CMT and the Social Policy Branch at the Department of Premier and Cabinet.

Download our summary report written by CMT Co-Director Monica Attard and Postdoctoral Fellow Dr Ayesha Jehangir for the New South Wales (NSW) Department of Premier and Cabinet, here:


 

This project was funded by the NSW Government’s Countering Violent Extremism (CVE)  Program 2022. The project summary report does not constitute NSW Government policy. The content of this publication is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the views of the State of NSW. 

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.