EP#169: Fighting Disinformation in Cities: Insights from the Global Response Playbook

As cities around the world grapple with a wave of disinformation, how can they fight back and restore public trust? In this episode of GovComms, David Pembroke sits down with Ika Trijsburg, leader of the Disinformation in the City project, to tackle this urgent question. Ika unveils the Global Response Playbook, a powerful toolkit designed to help cities counter false information at a local level. She walks us through its three-phase approach—pre-empting, pre-bunking, and debunking—and shows how cities can become hubs of trust and resilience.

Drawing on many years of experience in city diplomacy and local government, Ika shares stories and insights on why disinformation impacts every layer of city life, from elected officials to public service teams. With her unique perspective, Ika emphasises the power of collaboration and the critical role cities play in protecting their communities. Full of actionable insights and real optimism, this episode is a must-listen for government communicators and public sector leaders who are ready to step up in the fight against disinformation.

Discussed in this episode:

• How disinformation challenges local governments and impacts public trust.
• A three-phase strategy to tackle disinformation.
• Why cities are well-positioned to address disinformation where people experience policy firsthand.
• The importance of community-focused strategies to build trust and counter disinformation.
• Partnerships within and beyond government strengthen resilience to disinformation.
• How cities worldwide can share strategies and amplify impact through diplomatic collaboration.

Show notes:

• Disinformation in the City Response Playbook | University of Melbourne
• Disinformation in the City Project | University of Melbourne
• Melbourne Centre for Cities | University of Melbourne

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