Countering Disinformation: Evidence-Based Strategies for Policymakers

In a digital age plagued by misinformation, media literacy training emerges as a powerful but complex solution for helping citizens navigate an increasingly convoluted information landscape.

Recent studies show substantial evidence that media literacy programs can effectively help people identify false stories and unreliable news sources. However, experts caution that the varying approaches to media literacy education mean success in one program doesn’t guarantee effectiveness across all training methods.

The most successful media literacy initiatives share a key characteristic: they empower individuals to take active control of their media consumption. Rather than simply teaching skepticism, effective programs instill what researchers call “actionable skepticism” or “information literacy” – providing concrete skills for finding and evaluating reliable information while fostering confidence and responsibility in media consumption habits.

“The most successful variants empower motivated individuals to take control of their media consumption and seek out high-quality information,” according to a comprehensive review of media literacy research published by Data & Society.

This finding is supported by a 2019 study in American Behavioral Scientist, which discovered that people’s abilities to navigate and find verified information online was a stronger predictor of spotting fake news than mere understanding of journalism practices or self-reported critical thinking skills.

Multiple studies point to the importance of “locus of control” – the confidence and sense of responsibility individuals feel toward finding high-quality news sources. People who actively curate their information diet prove less susceptible to misinformation compared to passive consumers.

Recent research particularly favors “lateral reading” as an effective technique. Unlike older approaches that focused on identifying suspicious website characteristics, lateral reading teaches users to check information against multiple reliable sources. A study of college students found that after learning this approach, the number of students using lateral reading jumped from 12 to over 50 percent, with a corresponding increase in their ability to distinguish true claims from false ones.

One notable case study is the International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX)’s Learn to Discern program, which has operated in Ukraine and other countries since 2015. Using a “train the trainers” approach, the program equips volunteers to deliver media literacy curriculum within their communities. Evaluations found participants maintained improved media consumption habits – like checking multiple sources – up to 18 months after completing the training.

Despite promising results, media literacy education faces significant challenges in implementation. Reaching large populations, particularly those most vulnerable to misinformation, requires substantial resources and infrastructure. While small-scale programs are relatively inexpensive, achieving widespread impact through integration into public education systems requires significant investment.

Experts also highlight the danger of creating excessive skepticism. Media scholar danah boyd warns that “critical thought can quickly become cynical thought,” potentially leading individuals to reject all media sources indiscriminately. This reinforces the importance of carefully designed curricula that balance healthy skepticism with constructive engagement.

Time represents another major hurdle. Building the necessary infrastructure for large-scale media literacy programs – including training educators who themselves may lack media literacy skills – will take years. A European Union study found significant deficiencies in teachers’ own understanding of core media literacy concepts, revealing a need for broader professional development before effective classroom implementation.

While media literacy education shows substantial promise in combating misinformation, its full implementation faces challenges of scale, targeting, and resources. As governments and educators worldwide continue developing these programs, focus must remain on approaches that not only teach critical evaluation skills but also nurture individuals’ confidence and responsibility in finding reliable information.