Learning to ‘Speak Up’ Effectively Key to Correcting Misinformation Surge

In an age of misinformation and online noise, facts often fade into the background of the loudest voice. Former journalist and media trainer Theresa Miller is convinced the only way to correct this trend is for experts, leaders and everyday Australians to learn to speak up with clarity and confidence.

“We need subject matter experts to share their deep expertise and experience,” Theresa told Hope 103.2.

“Not only for their own benefit [but] so they can combat fake news and the misinformation that’s swirling around on the internet out there.

“We need those with knowledge and authority to speak up so we’re all better informed.”

In her book Speak Up, Theresa advocates for everyday Australians to develop their communication skills so they can represent themselves and their causes well, whether in public forums, workplaces, or at home.

“In this A.I. era, it’s becoming more and more important to develop your communication skills,” Theresa said.

“If you’re going for a job interview and someone says, ‘Tell me a little bit about yourself,’ and then you parrot your resume that’s not going to cut through.

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“But if you are able to articulate your passions, your superpowers, your drive, the way that you fit into the values of that company and how you’re able to solve their problems and benefit them, that will make you stand out from the other candidates by far.”

The same logic applies to philanthropic endeavours or companies wanting to influence social change.

“There are a lot of academics, or not for profits, I work with who have extraordinary solutions to some of the problems we have in this world,” Theresa said.

“And yet we don’t get to hear them.

“They’ve got solutions to child poverty, to climate change, to legal issues, and they miss out on the acknowledgement and potentially on grants or funding.”

“Nobody wins if you hide your light under a bushel.”

One of the most useful skills to learn is how to adapt your message and expertise to your audience and avoid jargon that isolates newcomers.

“Just speak in plain English so we can all understand it,” Theresa said.

“It’s not dumbing it down, it’s really just making it accessible.

“Public speaking is not about ego, it’s about being of service to your audience.”

Theresa also stresses the need to be authentic and bring a sense of humility to any conversation, particularly when trying to connect with younger audiences or unfamiliar groups.

“You can only be yourself and you need to be authentic.” Theresa said.

“Rather than pretending to understand someone else’s world completely, be honest and willing to listen and open about what you do and do not know.

“If you’re doing it genuinely because you want to help people, then there will be people in that audience that respond to what you’ve got to say.”

Theresa Miller’s book Speak Up is out now.

Listen to the full conversation in the player above.

Quotes in this article have been edited for length and clarity.

Feature image: Supplied (UNSW Press)