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Mediterranean media experts gathered at the University of Malta on Thursday to address the growing challenge of disinformation, highlighting particular concerns about its impact on children as young as eight years old.
During the public conference focused on combating fake news and empowering society, Joyce Zablit, Deputy Chief Editor for Europe at Agence France-Presse (AFP), emphasized the need to adapt fact-checking methods to be more engaging and accessible.
“We need to adapt fact-checking to be more attractive. We need to use formats, like video fact-checks, to reach younger children in schools, even at the age of eight,” Zablit said, underscoring how disinformation now affects even elementary school-aged children.
The conference marked the launch of the second phase of the Mediterranean Digital Media Observatory (MedDMO), a European Union-funded initiative that brings together journalists, media literacy experts, and researchers from Malta, Greece, and Cyprus, along with professionals from AFP, one of the world’s oldest and most respected international news agencies.
Times of Malta, a leading news outlet in the Mediterranean island nation, participates in the project through its dedicated fact-checking service. Herman Grech, the publication’s Editor-in-Chief, described the establishment of their fact-checking desk as one of the organization’s most significant recent developments.
“Sometimes Neville [Borg]’s fact-checks are the most-read articles throughout a day,” Grech noted, referring to one of the publication’s fact-checkers. “I believe in ‘unlearn, relearn and adapt’—that’s what I say to journalists. The most important thing is for young people to engage with us, speak to us. Media literacy is so important; we should go back to the basics and explain why people need to trust the media.”
The timing of this initiative is particularly relevant, as disinformation campaigns have intensified globally in recent years. The Mediterranean region faces unique challenges related to migration, political tensions, and cross-cultural communication, making accurate media reporting crucial for social cohesion.
Fact-checking has emerged as a critical journalistic practice in the digital age, with dedicated organizations and departments within traditional media outlets working to verify claims circulating online and in public discourse. The MedDMO represents a regional approach to this global challenge, leveraging the collective expertise of multiple countries and institutions.
The focus on children reflects growing awareness among media professionals about the vulnerability of younger generations to misleading information. With most children now accessing digital content from an early age, media literacy education has become increasingly essential in school curricula across Europe.
AFP’s involvement brings significant credibility to the project. As one of the world’s three major news agencies alongside Reuters and Associated Press, AFP operates in 151 countries and is renowned for its rigorous editorial standards. The agency has expanded its fact-checking operations in recent years in response to the proliferation of false information online.
For Malta, hosting this conference underscores its positioning as a Mediterranean hub for media development and digital literacy. The small EU member state has been working to strengthen its media landscape while navigating the challenges of the digital transformation.
Experts at the conference agreed that addressing disinformation requires a multi-faceted approach, combining technological solutions with human expertise and educational initiatives. The emphasis on making fact-checking more engaging recognizes that simply correcting misinformation is insufficient if the corrections don’t reach or resonate with audiences.
As the MedDMO enters its second phase, participants will continue developing collaborative strategies to identify, analyze, and counter false information circulating in the Mediterranean region, with particular attention to cross-border narratives that affect multiple countries.
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17 Comments
Adapting fact-checking to be more attractive and accessible for younger audiences is a wise approach. Disinformation can spread rapidly, so equipping children with the tools to think critically about online content is crucial. I hope this initiative sees great success.
Agreed, empowering kids to identify misinformation at an early age is so important. The video format sounds like an engaging way to reach them and build those essential media literacy skills.
It’s concerning to hear that even young children are being exposed to disinformation these days. Adapting fact-checking methods to reach them in an engaging way is a smart approach. Improving media literacy at an early age is crucial to combating the spread of fake news.
I agree, the earlier we can educate children on identifying reliable information, the better. Empowering them with critical thinking skills is key to building a more informed society.
It’s alarming to hear that disinformation is now reaching children as young as 8 years old. Equipping them with the skills to critically evaluate online content is crucial. I’m curious to learn more about the specific methods the AFP is exploring to make fact-checking more engaging for young audiences.
Absolutely, the earlier we can start building media literacy, the better. Video fact-checks sound like an innovative way to capture kids’ attention and teach them these important skills. I’m hopeful this initiative will have a meaningful impact.
Reaching kids with fact-checking content in engaging formats like videos is a smart strategy. Combating disinformation has to start early before misconceptions take root. I’m curious to learn more about the specific methods the AFP is exploring.
Yes, the video fact-checks sound like an effective way to grab kids’ attention and teach them vital media literacy skills. I’m interested to see what other innovative approaches emerge from this initiative.
Disinformation is a growing challenge, and the impact on young, impressionable minds is especially worrying. I’m glad to see this issue being addressed through collaborative efforts like the Mediterranean Digital Media Observatory.
This is a concerning trend, but I’m encouraged to see efforts like the Mediterranean Digital Media Observatory working to combat the spread of disinformation, especially among young people. Adapting fact-checking to be more appealing to children is a smart strategy.
Reaching young children with fact-checking content in an appealing format is a smart strategy to combat the spread of disinformation. Equipping kids with media literacy skills at an early age is essential. I’m curious to learn more about the specific approaches the Mediterranean Digital Media Observatory is exploring to make this education engaging and effective.
I agree, the video fact-checks sound like an innovative way to capture kids’ attention and teach them to think critically about online information. Empowering the next generation with these skills is key to building a more informed society.
This is an important issue that deserves more attention. Disinformation can have serious consequences, especially when it reaches impressionable young minds. I’m glad to see initiatives like the Mediterranean Digital Media Observatory working to address it.
Disinformation affecting even elementary school-aged children is a concerning reality. I commend the efforts of the Mediterranean Digital Media Observatory to combat this challenge, particularly the focus on using engaging formats like video fact-checks to reach younger audiences. Media literacy education is so important, especially in the digital age.
Absolutely, the video fact-checks sound like an effective way to capture kids’ attention and teach them critical thinking skills around online content. Equipping young people with the tools to identify misinformation is vital.
It’s alarming to hear that disinformation is now impacting children as young as 8 years old. Adapting fact-checking methods to be more engaging and accessible for younger audiences is a crucial step. I’m encouraged to see initiatives like the Mediterranean Digital Media Observatory working to address this challenge and empower society, especially the next generation.
This is a worrying development, but I’m glad to see organizations like the Mediterranean Digital Media Observatory taking action. Adapting fact-checking to be more accessible and attractive for young audiences is a smart approach. Educating children on identifying misinformation is crucial for building a more informed society.