In an era of misinformation and fragmented media consumption, trusted community voices remain one of the strongest defences against false information.
That was the message from journalist and documentary maker Helen Kapalos at a multicultural media gathering hosted by The LOTE Agency at Melbourne’s World Trade Centre on 4 June.
Addressing more than 60 multicultural media leaders, broadcasters, publishers, content creators and community representatives, Kapalos said ethnic media occupied a unique position within Australia’s diverse communities.
“You are not distribution channels only. You are a trusted voice,” she told attendees.
“And when a trusted voice speaks, it is a voice that is believed.”
Drawing on her experience across SBS, ABC and commercial television networks, Kapalos reflected on growing up in a Greek-speaking household, where community media played a vital role in connecting migrant families to information and culture.
She argued that misinformation often spreads through private family networks, social media groups and closed communication channels, making it difficult for authorities and mainstream media to detect.
“The messenger matters more than the message,” she said. “And in these communities, you are the messenger.”
Kapalos also challenged the common assumption that translating information into multiple languages is enough to reach multicultural communities.
“There is a world of difference between translating into a language and actually reaching a community,” she said, stressing the importance of trust, relationships and culturally informed communication.
The event, organised by multicultural communications firm The LOTE Agency, brought together representatives from ethnic media outlets, community organisations and government agencies to discuss the future of multicultural communications.
Opening the evening, LOTE Agency CEO Ash Chand said access to reliable information should not depend on a person’s language or cultural background.
“Changing the world means that when there’s a fire, every single person in Australia has access to the same information at the same time,” he said.
“Changing the world means that if you go through a health crisis, you have the same service and the same equitable outcome as everyone else.”
Chand, whose parents migrated from Fiji, said the agency’s work was driven by a commitment to ensuring multicultural communities are informed, connected and represented.
Victorian Multicultural Commission Chair Vivienne Nguyen AM also addressed the gathering, highlighting the importance of trusted information, particularly during emergencies.
“Having truthful information, factual information from agencies and organisations that we can trust is really critical, particularly in times of crisis,” she said.
The evening also featured a panel discussion with Rajdeep Kaur from 3ZZZ Community Radio, Marianne Wangira of Multicultural Voices Australia, ABC Heywire producer Mahsa N, and storyteller Lydia Tesema. Discussions focused on trust, artificial intelligence, misinformation and the future of ethnic media.
For many in the room, the message was clear: while technology and media platforms continue to evolve, trust remains the foundation of effective communication.
And in multicultural Australia, that trust is often built through community media.
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