Did you know that angry people click more? Or that young people are losing interest in news – and trust in it? And that the same is happening to democracy?
Why are influencers so successful at shaping opinions? These were just a few of the questions explored at the conference The Impact of Fake News on Life in the European Union, organized to mark the 10th anniversary of Časoris, a Slovenian online news platform for children, and as part of the MediaMasters project.
This flagship professional event tackled pressing issues about how disinformation affects European democracies and everyday life. It brought together experts, teachers, journalists, and the general public to examine how fake news influences society – and how we can identify and counter it.
Held under the EU’s Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) programme, which promotes democratic values and human rights, the event provided a space for key stakeholders to come together and address the growing challenge of disinformation.
Participants responded enthusiastically, showing genuine concern and commitment to the issue. They also got to try out Media Masters, a new educational board game and app designed to boost critical thinking and help users detect manipulation, misleading narratives, and fake news.
In her opening remarks, Časoris founder Sonja Merljak Zdovc emphasized the importance of truth, trust, and responsible information sharing in the digital age. She described fake news as one of the biggest challenges facing modern society and stressed that greater awareness and education are essential if we are to safeguard democracy in Europe.
The main panel discussion, The Impact of Disinformation on European Democracies, featured insights from experts including Josh LaPorte, Miriam Možgan, Ingrid Omahna, and Nika Veger. They shared various perspectives on how disinformation undermines democratic institutions and social cohesion across the EU.
Miriam Možgan, an expert on hybrid threats and disinformation, put it bluntly: “Today, the chances of someone messing with your mind are greater than the chances of a bomb falling on your head.” The panel explored how fake news influences elections, erodes trust in institutions, and disrupts daily life – ultimately threatening political stability and democratic processes.
One of the most concerning trends highlighted was the growing influence of social media personalities among younger audiences. This trend often leads to the radicalization of views and a decline in trust in democratic values.
Findings from the 2022 ICCS (International Civic and Citizenship Education Study) were also shared, revealing that among eighth-grade students – especially boys – support for gender inequality is on the rise. This points to a wider societal issue, one that is often exacerbated disinformation online.
Following the panel, participants had the opportunity to engage hands-on with the Media Masters educational game. Designed for both youth and adults, it’s not just entertaining – it helps users sharpen their critical thinking skills and learn how to navigate the digital world responsibly.
The game offers a fun but serious way to understand how to analyze and manage information in an era where fake news is part of everyday life.
The conference wrapped up with a discussion on how media outlets can regain public trust in a climate increasingly shaped disinformation. Rather than offering just a theoretical framework, the event presented concrete solutions to help tackle the issue.
Key strategies discussed included: integrating media literacy into school curricula from an early age, mentoring young journalists, and fostering collaboration among news organizations, schools, and universities.
The event closed with a powerful message: tackling disinformation requires a collective effort – from media users and journalists to educators and institutions. Moving forward, it’s vital to continue promoting media literacy and collaboration to build a more informed, resilient, and responsible society.
As the organizer, Časoris took a meaningful step toward fulfilling the goals of its Media Masters project, which aims to strengthen media literacy and encourage active citizenship among youth in nine EU countries.
By bringing together teachers, journalists, students, and young people, the project provides tools to help shape a more informed and critically engaged generation – one ready to meet the challenges of the digital age.
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The project is funded the European Union under the Citizens, Equality, Rights, and Values (CERV) Programme. Its content reflects only the views of the authors, and the European Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains.
