Alt News
altnews.inRigorous fact-checking in Hindi and English.
For our families in Australia
Media literacy, made simple.
A calm, practical guide to checking news before you believe it, forward it, or discuss it with family and community.
WhatsApp forwards
Viral videos
Scams
Community safety
Community partners
NRI Affairs
What is media literacy?
It is not about being suspicious of everything. It is about pausing before trusting something.
We share news every day — on WhatsApp, Facebook, at home, and with friends at the temple, mosque, church or gurdwara. Some of it is true. Some of it is wrong. And some of it is changed on purpose to make people afraid or angry.
Learning to tell the difference is a skill, not a talent. Anyone can build it, at any age.
Ask before you share
- Who made this?
- Why did they make it?
- Is it really true?
Before you share
Four small habits that can stop false information from travelling further.
SStop
How does the message make you feel? Angry, afraid or unusually proud? That feeling can be a warning sign. Take a breath before sharing.
IInvestigate
Who is telling you this? Open a new tab. Search the website name or person’s name. Spend one minute finding out who they are.
FFind
Has anyone else reported this? Big news travels fast. If only one source has it, be careful. Trusted papers and fact-checkers may have covered it too.
TTrace
Where did the photo or video come from? Old images with new captions are a common trick. Use image search before believing the caption.
Your toolkit
Where to check when a claim sounds important, emotional or urgent.
When the message is about IndiaIndia
BOOM Live
boomlive.inUseful for video and AI misinformation. Available in Hindi, English and Bangla.
The Quint WebQoof
thequint.com/webqoofStrong on viral WhatsApp claims and easy to read.
Vishvas News
vishvasnews.comFact-checking in many Indian languages.
When the news is about AustraliaAustralia
AAP FactCheck
aap.com.au/factcheckAustralia’s newswire fact-checker.
ABC Fact Check
abc.net.au/news/factcheckHelpful for checking political claims, especially during elections.
The Conversation
theconversation.com/auAcademic experts explain why a story matters and what sits behind it.
WhatsApp a claim for fact-checking
For India-related misinformation, send the claim to the fact-checking number listed in the guide.
Free download
The Media Literacy Toolkit
Printable checklists, a WhatsApp-ready summary and session notes for community groups. Enter your email and we will open the toolkit folder for you.
If something goes wrong
Free places to contact when scams, online harm or unfair treatment affect you or your community.
Got a scam call, email or message?
Scamwatchscamwatch.gov.au1300 795 995
Run by the ACCC. Translators are available. Report it even if you did not lose money, so others can be warned.
Bullied or harmed online? Photos shared without your consent?
eSafety Commissioneresafety.gov.au1800 880 176
Can help remove harmful content from platforms. Support is available in many languages.
A newspaper got a story wrong about you or your community?
Australian Press Councilpresscouncil.org.au1800 025 712
Free to complain. They can review the article and publish a correction if needed.
Treated unfairly because of race or religion?
Australian Human Rights Commissionhumanrights.gov.au1300 656 419
Offers free mediation under the Racial Discrimination Act. Many cases are resolved without going to court.
Keep this simple rule
If in doubt, don’t share.
Want to learn more, run a community session, or share this guide with your family group?
Media literacy guide for Indian diaspora families in Australia
Free download
Thank you. The toolkit is ready.
Open the toolkit folder (opens in a new tab)You can come back to this page any time — the link will be waiting.