Example Message 2: Education, Empowerment, Digital and Disinformation
People can and do respond to and correct disinformation. Digital processes can play a central role in that effort. Of course people can also be major conveyors of disinformation including through digital means; even when they know the information that they are communicating is wrong.
What strategies can be put in place to support people acting to both correct disinformation and prevent the spread of disinformation. How can we educate and empower people to take those actions?
The UNESCO and ITU report: Balancing Act: Countering Digital Disinformation While Respecting Freedom of Expression (summary here) has a focus on education, empowerment, accurate information and freedom of expression. There is a summary of this aspect of the report at this link: Educational and Empowerment Responses - From the Report: Balancing Act: Countering Digital Disinformation While Respecting Freedom of Expression
The education and empowerment opportunities identified by the report include:
By International organisations - Work towards provision of MIL educational initiatives and materials for under-served countries, languages, and demographics.
By Internet companies - Foster interdisciplinary action research projects designed to experiment with educational responses to disinformation, and report on these experiments to aid knowledge sharing.
By Individual states - Earmark funding and support for interventions for older citizens, who are both a key voter demographic and a primary risk group for spreading disinformation.
By News media - Collaborate with journalism schools on counter-disinformation projects involving both researchers and students to improve the capabilities of graduates and deepen their own understanding and practice.
By Civil society - Increase work in MIL innovation such as anti-disinformation games, and develop creative ways to empower constituencies beyond the educational system who are at risk from disinformation.
By Researchers - Forge partnerships with news organisations to help strengthen investigative reporting into disinformation and deepen audience insights with reference to engagement with counter-disinformation content.
We would very much welcome you sharing through this thread, in support of the work of others and as a contribution to expanding and strengthening work related to digital, elections and freedom of expression:
1. Any experiences you have had in seeking to act along the lines outlined above
2. Any questions you may have about how best to put these strategies into action.
3. Any observations/analysis that you may have about the strengths or limitations of the approach outlined.
4. Any proposals you may have for better strategic actions.
Many thanks for engaging and sharing.
As a further contribution to this hugely important theme below please find some relevant experiences shared on the Communication Initiative platform:
National Education Policy, 2020 and Future Direction of Journalism and Mass Communication Education
Fighting Disinfodemic in Central Africa: Fact-checkers Experience Against Covid-19 Fake News
FactShala India Media Literacy Network
A Clash of Narratives: National Identity and Violent Conflict in Ethiopia
We look forward to your contributions. With much strength for your vitally important work.
Guilherme etc
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