Fake news: Tackling Discrimination

"<< Background >>We initiated the ""Fake News: Tackling Discrimination"" project in response to address the rise in misinformation and its impact on society. With the number of active social media users increasing rapidly, the spread of fake news significantly influenced public opinion, especially in political, economic, military, and cultural matters. The European Commission's report, 'Fake News and Disinformation Online,' highlighted that 85% of EU citizens viewed fake news as a threat to their country, and 73% were concerned about its influence on elections. Türkiye, in particular, was highly susceptible to misinformation campaigns, ranking low in media literacy according to reports by European Policies Initiative and Open Society Institute. This project aimed to enhance media literacy, especially among young people, equipping them with the skills to discern between real and manipulated news. Our approach included theoretical and practical education from experts, a comprehensive analysis of perception operations in social media, and resources to assist policymakers in combating misinformation.<< Objectives >>Our ""Fake News: Tackling Discrimination"" project was driven by the need to combat misinformation, especially false portrayals in media regarding refugees, which undermine societal harmony. With rapid technological advances and the proliferation of mass communication tools, distinguishing between true and false information has become increasingly challenging. In the world, recent political and social events have eroded trust in media, highlighting the need for improved media literacy:Our objectives were to:*Raise awareness among youth, youth workers, and policymakers about media misrepresentations and increase media literacy.*Provide solutions for accessing accurate news and enhancing best practices in media consumption.*Empower participants with skills to use communication tools effectively for discerning accurate information.*Develop critical thinking to differentiate between factual and manipulated news.<< Implementation >>In our project ""Fake News: Tackling Discrimination,"" we implemented following activities:*In-depth Analysis of Fake News and Disinformation against Asylum Seekers on Social Media: Conducted as a crucial part of the project, this analysis aimed to understand and counteract the spread of misinformation regarding asylum seekers on social media platforms.*Media Literacy Summit for Youth in Ankara: A five-day event focused on enhancing critical media literacy skills among youth, including expert-led sessions and workshops on fake news using the 5N1K technique.*Media Literacy: Tackling Discrimination Training Course in Strasbourg: A comprehensive six-day program by Cojep International, providing education on media literacy, BIT importance, and combating fake news.*Production of Short Film ""Stolen Lives"": Developed by Hitit University, this film aimed to educate a wide audience on media literacy, focusing on critical assessment of media content.Each of these activities was strategically planned to meet our objectives of enhancing media literacy, raising awareness of misinformation, and equipping participants with skills to discern factual content in the media landscape.<< Results >>The ""Fake News: Tackling Discrimination"" project achieved several concrete outputs and results:Media Literacy Summit for Youth: Successfully conducted in Ankara, this summit enhanced the media literacy skills of young participants through various interactive sessions and workshops.Media Literacy: Tackling Discrimination Training Course in Strasbourg: Implemented by Cojep International, this training provided valuable insights and skills in media literacy and combating fake news to participants from various professional backgrounds.Short Film ""Stolen Lives"": Produced by Hitit University, this film effectively raised awareness about media literacy, reaching a broad audience through online platforms and institutional collaborations.In-depth Analysis Report on Fake News and Disinformation against Asylum Seekers on Social Media: This comprehensive report provided a detailed examination of misinformation trends on social media, offering valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders.Increased Media Literacy and Critical Thinking Skills: Participants, including youth, youth workers, and academics, developed enhanced abilities to critically assess media content and differentiate between real and manipulated news."