Disinformation on the rise

Media has a huge impact on our lives because media is the main source of information about our environment. Through information channels, people create an image of our world and respond to this image. However, it is still a more frequent phenomenon of manipulation with facts, and thus manipulation of our image of the environment. Since the emergence of social media, manipulation of facts, spreading misinformation, and propaganda are on the rise. We want to raise awareness of this issue, especially among young people who are using social media and run the risk to be under the great influence of disinformation.

Disinformation, manipulation and propaganda have a significant negative impact on the perception of basic human principles such as freedom, tolerance, equality, and justice. As a result, they can affect not only public life but also private ones. It is no surprise that young people, as well as adults, cease to be interested in their environments, such as politics or starting to be radicalized, precisely because of the lack of credibility of resources and information.

The project is intended to include 25-30 participants from 5-6 different countries (Croatia, Czechia, Germany, Italy, Macedonia, Poland) who will be involved in debates, simulations, and work with information. Finally, in workshops participants will create an online publication that they can use in their country to prevent the spread of disinformation.

Objectives:
Raise awareness of the risk of disinformation and its consequences
Provide knowledge of the type of disinformation and propaganda
Provide knowledge to detect „fake news“ and other types of information
Provide the opportunity to gain experience when working with „fake news“
To help participants recognize manipulation and propaganda
Create a guide about disinformation from youth for youth
Use the disinformation guide as a prevention in schools and seminars