Media Literacy for Resistance against Fake news, Disinformation and Misinformation - MELI RESIST

Discover Interesting Projects to Improve Media Literacy and Combat Disinformation!

In today’s digital world, it is important to be aware of the dangers of disinformation and to develop the ability to critically evaluate information online. Therefore, we invite you to explore the following projects that will help you understand how to protect yourself from fake news and develop media literacy skills:

• U.S. Embassy in Ljubljana – How to Recognize Disinformation? Peanut Samo has 5 tricks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_3yJ0iPRWQ
• Časoris Media Literacy – See how you can improve your media knowledge and critically assess content: https://mil.casoris.si/
• Stop Disinformation: Read, Think, Verify – Learn how to recognize and protect yourself from disinformation. Explore the project: https://www.gov.si/zbirke/projekti-in-programi/dezinformacije/
• Mipi.si Project, AKOS – Explore the importance of media literacy in Slovenia. Visit https://www.mipi.si/
• SAFE.SI – Check out advice on safe internet use. Visit https://safe.si/
• European Year of Digital Citizenship Education 2025 – Discover how 2025 will promote digital citizenship and media literacy across Europe. More information on https://www.coe.int/en/web/education/european-year-of-digital-citizenship-education-2025

Sufficient knowledge of media and disinformation is crucial for safe and responsible living in the digital world!

MELI RESIST: Recommended Current Online Scientific Sources

For those interested in in-depth analyses of the role of media literacy in ensuring the credibility of online information, we recommend the following scientific works:

Publications by Prof. Dr. Renee Hobbs, a leading expert in media literacy, available at: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=hLOmgL0AAAAJ&hl=sl&oi=ao

Research by Mateja Rek, Predrag Ljubotina, and Anja Bašin (2024): Media Literacy as a Tool for Addressing Fake News and Disinformation, funded by ARIS. This study provides a detailed insight into strategies for combating disinformation. Available at: https://pismenost.si/medijska-pismenost-kot-orodje-soocanja-z-laznimi-novicami-in-dezinformiranjem/

Contribution by Mateja Rek (2024): E-democracy in the EU, which examines the role of digital tools in the democratic processes of the European Union. Learn more at: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-56045-3_8

Article by Tea Golob, Matej Makarovič, and Mateja Rek (2021): Meta-reflexivity for Resilience Against Disinformation, exploring the impact of meta-reflexivity on strengthening resilience to disinformation. Available on Comunicar: https://www.revistacomunicar.com/ojs/index.php/comunicar/article/view/C66-2021-09

Prof. Dr. Renee Hobbs – A Globally Renowned Media Literacy Researcher at FUDŠ!

We are delighted to announce that on January 16, 2025, our faculty will host the globally acclaimed expert and distinguished scientist, Prof. Dr. Renee Hobbs! 🏆

Renee Hobbs is one of the world’s leading scientific authorities in the field of media education and literacy. She is a professor at the University of Rhode Island and the founder and director of the Media Education Lab. Her work has been cited in more than 13,500 academic sources, underscoring her profound impact on the global scientific community.

You can find her CV on: https://mediaeducationlab.com/about/renee-hobbs

As part of the MELI RESIST project, co-funded by the U.S. Embassy in Slovenia, Prof. Hobbs will deliver a lecture on media literacy, sharing her remarkable expertise in a field that is vital in today’s digital media landscape.

This event is of great significance for our faculty, as it connects us with leading global trends and opens doors to understanding the complexities of the digital media world. We are excited to share this unique moment with you! 🎉

Qualitative Research Report: Media Literacy as a Tool for Addressing Fake News and Disinformation 2024

In 2024, as part of the Media Literacy Infrastructure Program at FUDŠ, we conducted focus groups with young people to explore their trust in media, their understanding of media financing and ownership, their information verification practices, attitudes toward personal data protection, and habits related to following news programs and political content.

What do young people say?

“For the sites that everyone knows and hears about every day, we believe they are true. But if we see some news or a site for the first time, we have doubts about believing it. We’re more likely not to believe it.”

“It depends on how much the headline draws me in. Even if it’s ‘fake,’ I click just to see what nonsense they wrote. Sometimes, though, even from a trustworthy source, the story isn’t true.”

“… at this age, I feel like I should know what’s going on. But honestly, I don’t want to know, because as soon as you start talking about it, everyone just starts arguing. No one ever agrees, and they never will. Before elections, I read up, make a decision, and go vote. But I really don’t want to discuss it at all.”

“Our opinions are also heavily influenced by influencers—what they say and post. Also, the opinions of others, like when you read comments, and based on that, you form an opinion… and even just the first thing you see can shape your opinion about a situation.”

“When it comes to fake news, I jump to conclusions too quickly. I’ll read something, maybe not even half the article, and I already form my opinion.”

“If my parents are watching the news and I feel like it, I’ll sit with them and listen, even if I don’t know what it’s about. Otherwise, they’ll just tell me about it. But on my own, to be genuinely interested, not really.”

The full report is available here: https://pismenost.si/medijska-pismenost-kot-orodje-soocanja-z-laznimi-novicami-in-dezinformiranjem/