S2 E40: Fact or Fiction: Media Misinformation and the Health of the Great Barrier Reef

Have you ever felt confused by conflicting media reports about the health of the Great Barrier Reef? If so, you're not alone. New research shows news coverage has often failed to clearly communicate the risks climate change poses to the reef, sometimes fuelling misinformation and climate denial.

So what's really happening on the Great Barrier Reef? To help unpack this, our guest today is Dr. Gabi Mocatta, Senior Research Fellow in Climate Science Communication at the University of Tasmania.

PLUS it's our last show of the year and we're going out with a bang! Hosts Tanya and Brett celebrate their 40th and final episode of the year and look back at the highlights of 2025.

SOURCES:

The Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) 2022 Media Release as discussed in the episode: https://www.aims.gov.au/information-centre/news-and-stories/highest-coral-cover-central-northern-reef-36-years

Andreotta, M., Mocatta, G., Lubicz-Zaorski, C. et al. Steering Great Barrier Reef climate science narratives through the mediasphere in a time of misinformation. npj Clim. Action 4, 99 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44168-025-00235-4

Chapters

• 0:00 Highlights of 2025: Reviewing our Year of Ocean Adventures
• 8:39 Introducing Climate Communications Expert Dr Gabi Mocatta
• 11:22 The Reef Health Report Which Nobody Read Beyond the Headline
• 15:37 Media Coverage of the Reef Health Report
• 19:21 Why Fast-Growing Coral Cover Doesn't Equal a Healthy Reef
• 24:11 How is Climate Change Really Impacting Coral Reefs?
• 26:29 Staying Hopeful and Optimistic without Denying What's Happening
• 28:49 Understanding that The Reef is Still An Incredible Place to Visit - Without Denying What's Happening
• 31:51 Read Beyond the Headlines: Become Media Literate
• 36:06 The Importance of Misinformation-Proofing Scientific Announcements
• 37:27 Diving deeper: More Tips for a Deeper Understanding of Reef Science
• 40:25 Outrage and Optimism: Maintaining Hope While Taking Action
• 42:32 What You Can Do To Help Protect our Oceans