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Check FAQAbout Austin
Austin is an Australian cross-platform journalist who began his career in Lebanon during the 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel. He worked in the region for a total of four years, for major outlets like The Diplomat, CBC, CBS, ABC (America), ABC (Australia), as well as independent and community media orgs. He covered events such as the turbulent 2009 Iranian presidential elections and the unrest in Egypt during 2011 and 2012. Mackell broke news of the arrest of Egyptian Alber Saber, an atheist arrested on blasphemy charges. His work in Egypt also included investigations into army deserters and worker-led dissent leading to his arrest and charges of incitement filed against him in 2012. Austin was also one of the earliest and most vociferous of the voices warning against a military coup of 2013, by which stage he had moved to Ecuador and begun work on founding the press accountability and transparency NGO ImportantCool, for which he as since produced works ranging from political analysis to gonzo documentaries on the psychedelic practices of Amazonian peoples. He is available for work across all journalistic platforms throughout the region. He has since returned to his home city of Australia, residing outside the national capital, Canberra near the NSW-Victoria border, in the famous bell-weather seat of Eden Monaro. He is available to report and comment on Australian and international news in any format.
English
Video Package (Web / Broadcast)
Audio package (Radio / Podcast)
Interview (Video / Broadcast)
Portfolio
I was wrong about the Al-Ahli hospital blast in Gaza. Israel didn’t do it. Al Jazeera should retract.
Austin G. Mackell admits to mistakenly attributing the Al-Ahli hospital blast in Gaza to an Israeli airstrike, based on initial reports from Al Jazeera and other sources. He now believes the explosion was likely caused by a misfired Palestinian rocket intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome. Mackell criticizes Al Jazeera for rushing to conclusions and not retracting their initial report. He underscores the importance of journalistic quality over bias and calls for a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict, emphasizing that neither side has the right to kill civilians.
Further Thoughts on Media Mind Control
The article critiques the role of media, including left-wing outlets, in demobilizing progressive majorities by failing to highlight widespread public support for policies like rent control. It argues that media often perpetuates disinformation and fails to accurately reflect public opinion, leading to apathy and disengagement. The author criticizes specific media figures and outlets for their role in this process and suggests that better methodological accountability in journalism could help address these issues.
Media Mind Control Doesn’t Work Like You Think It Does
The article explores the concept of media influence on public perception, arguing that the perceived power of media to shape opinions is often exaggerated. It uses polling data to illustrate how public opinion on issues like housing and rent control can be misrepresented or misunderstood. The author suggests that people often underestimate the extent to which their views align with the majority, leading to political decisions that do not reflect popular support. The article also discusses the dynamics between the Australian government and The Greens, highlighting how media narratives can impact political strategies and public expectations.
Video Bibliographies as proof of life.
The article discusses the growing concern over distinguishing human-generated content from AI-generated content, particularly in journalism and academia. Stone Transparency offers a solution through its video bibliography system, which allows users to capture and share their research process, providing verifiable proof of human involvement. The text highlights the importance of transparency and authenticity in combating disinformation and emphasizes the role of human oversight in maintaining trust in the information ecosystem. The article also reveals that part of it was written by the AI language model ChatGPT, underscoring the collaborative potential between humans and AI.
Greens Senator Calls for “Pause” to Rate Rises, Has Four Properties, Four Mortgages
The deputy leader of the Greens in the Australian senate, who is also the economic justice spokesperson, called for a pause on the Reserve Bank of Australia's rate hikes, which the author criticizes as a policy that would benefit asset owners at the expense of the poorest members of society. The author suggests that the senator's position may be influenced by a conflict of interest, as he owns four properties with mortgages, and rate hikes would directly affect him financially. The senator's stance is seen as aligning with asset owners and those in debt, which includes a significant portion of the Greens' constituency, particularly educated urban millennial professionals.
Defining Public Knowledge; Accuracy is not Enough
The article addresses the crisis of trust in the public sphere, highlighting the findings of the Edelman Trust Barometer, which shows mixed levels of trust in media and institutions globally. It emphasizes the need for justified beliefs over mere accuracy and proposes a solution through a tool called Stone, designed to enhance transparency and accountability in journalism. The author argues that this approach can rebuild public trust and empower both journalists and the public by providing verifiable evidence and reducing reliance on institutional authority.
Egyptian protesters mount an overturned car.
An Egyptian protester uses eye drops to sooth his eyes after exposure to tear-gas.
Roasted pig heads, in Quito
Woman reading a newspaper and selling fruit in a food market in Quito, Ecuador.
Tahrir Square, new years eve, 2011.
Inside the burned out ideological school where, before the revolution, Gaddafi's works were studied.
Libyans celebrate the NATO airstrikes against Gaddafi.
What went wrong with Egypt's revolution?
Interview on ABC about Egypt under the government of the Muslim Brotherhood.
Debate about the Egypt coup following the bombing of Cairo University.
Portrait of a Libyan man.
War damage in Libya
I follow an anthropologist deep into the Ecuadorian Amazon, to see how the Shuar, the Amazon's last unconquered people, use ayahuasca and other psychedelic plants.
A collection of video and images from my time covering unrest in Cairo.
Shot in November of 2010 this video documents the effects of the Australian federal government's "Intervention" into aboriginal communities.
Egypt's media must undergo its own revolution
The article discusses the critical role of media in Egypt's ongoing revolution, highlighting the challenges posed by state and military control over television, the primary news source for a largely illiterate population. It underscores the efforts of activists like Alaa Abd El Fatah to establish independent media and criticizes the pervasive culture of nepotism and propaganda within state TV. The piece calls for a comprehensive overhaul of media practices to support the revolution's goals and ensure truthful reporting.
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