Incorporating Students’ Empowerment Against Disinformation in the Curricula of Higher Education Institutions in EU Countries

• In Event: Youth Learning in Action: Moves Toward Civic, Digital, and Media Literacy

Abstract

Disinformation is an inescapable issue in modern societies. Extremist groups, political actors, and foreign governments use it to manipulate media, influence public opinion, and incite conflicts. In democratic societies, critical digital literacy (CDL) is considered essential for countering disinformation. However, there is a significant gap in developing teaching approaches that can address the complexity and evolving nature of the phenomenon of disinformation, especially in higher education. This research aims to conceptualize and propose pedagogical solutions to this challenge. Our methodology involves a three-step process: a) literature review on CDL initiatives by EU and participating European countries; b) conducting focus group interviews to identify challenges for specific professional sectors; and c) creating an integrated approach to enhance media literacy education.

Authors

• Eleni Katsarou, University of Crete

• Konstantinos Sipitanos, University of Crete