As a conclusive action of the MLFD project, the consortium has issued a set of policy recommendations for advancing media literacy initiatives targeting civil society, media workers, and institutions.
Media Literacy for Democracy is a project implemented under the EU’s Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) programme. It is focused on the promotion of an effective media literacy strategy based on a multidisciplinary approach and cross-sector cooperation with the aim of tackling disinformation, empowering citizens to make informed decisions, and protecting democratic values. The activities, implemented by the consortium composed of CSOs and universities from five EU countries (IT, IE, ES, BG, PL) in the period from October 2022 to March 2024, included ten events carried out in collaboration with different stakeholders across the participating partners’ countries.
The target groups were essentially composed of students and young professionals, coming from all backgrounds, including the most marginalised, and all the activities have been supported by a well-established partners’ network at institutional and civil society levels, as well as at national and European levels, which stimulated further action and synergies in the field beyond the project’s activities. Through the local focus groups and the international workshops, the participants gained a comprehensive understanding of the impact of harmful disinformation and misinformation on democratic societies, with a particular focus on how these narratives disproportionately affect women and marginalized groups. By equipping participants with the necessary tools and knowledge, the project offered an opportunity to foster and promote a more inclusive and resilient media literacy strategy capable of combating disinformation and protecting democracy and the EU values.
This final activity of the MLFD project provides a detailed analysis of the challenges facing media literacy across the participating countries and offers key recommendations for addressing these issues effectively. The identified challenges, such as the digital divide, the impact of social media, and the lack of shared responsibility in combating disinformation, underscore the urgent need for cohesive and targeted interventions to promote media literacy among diverse populations, including the vulnerable and marginalised groups. The recommendations outlined in this report present a multifaceted approach that includes awareness campaigns, integration of media literacy into educational curricula, fostering multidisciplinary research, promoting social inclusion and access, involving and allocating financial resources to civil society organizations, and implementing rigorous evaluation mechanisms. Through the implementation of these recommendations, the EU can significantly enhance its citizens’ ability to critically engage with media content, navigate complex information landscapes, and discern between credible and misleading sources. Moreover, the collaborative involvement of stakeholders from various sectors, including governments, academia, civil society organisations, and platforms, is crucial for the successful implementation of these initiatives and the cultivation of a media-literate society able to empower its citizens to become active participants in democratic processes, promote social cohesion, and mitigate the harmful effects of disinformation on society, even in times of crisis.
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