Ulrik Haagerup, founder and CEO of the Constructive Institute, will examine journalism's role in rising democratic mistrust and growing polarisation at the National Press Club on Wednesday 18 March, with his keynote address Is Journalism Part of the Problem for Democracy? And how do we become part of the solution?
Mr Haagerup will argue that journalism must recognise the part it has played in fuelling division, news avoidance and the rise of populism – and that the industry now has a responsibility to help rebuild trust and contribute to more constructive public dialogue.
"Polarisation is becoming the next pandemic. Populism is rising, while trust in democracy is weakening. The news industry must acknowledge that we are part of the problem – but we can also be part of the solution", Mr Haagerup said.
Mr Haagerup will outline how constructive journalism offers a practical, evidence‑based approach to rebuilding trust and strengthening democratic culture, even as the industry continues to grapple with broken financial models and shifting audience behaviour.
"Constructive journalism, with its focus on facts, nuance, potential solutions and facilitating meaningful public conversations, has proven to work. People read constructive stories more, share them more and trust them more than traditional doom‑and‑gloom reporting. 'If it bleeds, it leads' is no longer true. The world needs trusted reporting more than ever."
Mr Haagerup's address comes as the Constructive Institute Asia Pacific Hub announces its inaugural fellows who will come together later this year to explore new approaches to rebuilding news integrity.
Director of the Constructive Institute Asia Pacific Hub, Professor Kate Torney, congratulated the successful fellows.
"I'm delighted to welcome such a high calibre group of media professionals at a time when journalism is facing profound challenges and opportunities. Each fellow has demonstrated a genuine commitment to strengthening solutions‑focused reporting and strengthening constructive principles in their newsrooms and their reporting. This program will give them the space to rethink what journalism can be and how it can counter division and rebuild trust."
19 fellows have been selected from 75 applicants from across Australia, Asia and the Pacific. Three of the successful fellows are also Monash University graduates. They will undertake the fellowship in Melbourne in April and again in September.
The successful fellows are: Kate Aubusson, Jarni Blakkarly, Brooke Boney, Ann Cordiner, Hayley Elg, Virginia Harrison, Peggy Giakoumelos, Felicity Lewis, Tamara Oudyn, Miki Perkins, Nicole Precel, Suzie Raines, Jackson Ryan, Roni Satria, Sarah Sharples, Agnes Theodora, Neary Ty, Richard Willingham, Vivienne Wynter. A full list of fellows including biographies and headshots is available here.
