Organised by CONVERGENCE in the context of the EU-funded research project FERMI
Audience: General Public
Date: 23/02/2024 at 14:00 - 15:30 CET
Guest Speakers:
- Carme Colomina Saló, Senior Research Fellow on European Union, disinformation and global politics at CIDOB (Barcelona Centre for International Affairs) as well as visiting professor at the College of Europe, in Bruges.
- Flavia Giglio, Legal Researcher in IT law, cybercrime and fundamental rights at the KU Leuven Center for IT & IP Law (CiTiP).
The FERMI webinar offered an insightful exploration into the complexities of disinformation, highlighting the multifaceted nature of the challenges and its profound impacts on society. We deep dived into the complex interplay between security measures and the preservation of civil liberties. Our guest speakers described the intricate interplay of enforcing laws against disinformation while upholding the fundamental rights that underpin democratic societies.
Key Highlights:
Defining Disinformation: The speakers underscored the lack of a universal definition of disinformation within the EU, emphasising the intricate challenge of distinguishing between misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation.
Digital Transformation's Impact: The digital era's disruption of traditional media dynamics was a focal point, with discussions on how algorithmic intermediation has reshaped the public discourse and information consumption.
Journalism: The precarious state of journalism, exacerbated by digitalisation and economic pressures, was highlighted, alongside the critical need for media literacy and robust journalism to combat disinformation.
Societal Implications: Discussing disinformation's broader societal effects, including the erosion of trust and the potential for digital tools to both spread and combat false narratives.
Emphasis on Collaboration: Particularly noteworthy was the emphasis on collaborative efforts between public and private sectors to safeguard democratic processes without infringing on fundamental rights.
During the webinar a plethora of challenges were discussed but also sparked conversations about potential solutions. The need for media literacy and critical thinking skills was a recurrent theme, emphasising education as a cornerstone for building a discerning and informed digital citizenry.
As we navigate the complexities of the digital age, the insights from the FERMI webinar underscore the importance of collaborative efforts to uphold the integrity of information. It's clear that building digital trust and combating disinformation requires a concerted effort from all sectors of society. The path to overcoming disinformation lies in our collective efforts to educate, legislate, and collaborate. These insights reaffirm the necessity and significance of the FERMI project.
Watch the recorded webinar:
Related training material: Navigating Disinformation: A Comprehensive Guide
The training material and webinar recordings are also available on the FERMI project website
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation program under Grant Agreement No. 101073980. Content reflects only the authors’ view and the European Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains.
