Brazilian Journalist Teaches Seniors to Combat Misinformation on WhatsApp

Brazilian Journalist Pioneers Innovative Media Literacy Program for Seniors

In a region where digital misinformation spreads rapidly through messaging platforms, journalist Talita Rosa has developed a groundbreaking approach to media literacy that meets vulnerable populations exactly where they are.

Rosa, a communications professional from southern Brazil with over 18 years of reporting experience, first encountered the concept of “fake news” in 2017—years before the term became common in Brazilian discourse. That initial exposure through an online course sparked her interest in fact-checking and eventually led her to launch “Prova Real,” a verification project pioneering in the region.

“The exchange of experiences broadened my understanding of the realities and perspectives of other contexts, contributing to a more global perspective on combating disinformation,” Rosa explained, reflecting on her participation in the International Center for Journalists’ Disarming Disinformation Training of Trainers initiative, which included media literacy training from Poynter’s MediaWise program.

The program, supported by the Scripps Howard Foundation, aims to combat disinformation through investigative journalism, capacity building, and media literacy education. It has trained 27 trainers who have reached over 3,200 people globally.

What distinguished Rosa’s approach was her realization that traditional media literacy techniques often fail to meet the needs of certain demographics. Rather than teaching complex verification methods favored by journalists, she focused on practical tools already embedded in platforms her target audience—elderly Brazilians—actually used.

“Training planning should be based on the audience’s needs, not just the trainer’s convictions as educators,” Rosa noted, applying this principle when developing her workshops.

After completing her training, Rosa strategically approached the Municipal Council for the Rights of the Elderly, which unanimously supported her initiative. She then partnered with senior organizations to host eight workshop sessions, ultimately reaching more than 150 participants who might otherwise have missed this opportunity.

Rosa’s methodology was distinctively adaptive. Before each session, she distributed questionnaires to understand participants’ skills and concerns, allowing her to tailor content specifically for each group. She began workshops by discussing everyday deception scenarios relevant to seniors—retirement schemes, financial scams, and health misinformation—before connecting these examples to their media consumption habits.

Understanding that many participants had limited tech proficiency and low literacy rates, Rosa adjusted traditional verification approaches. Instead of teaching lateral reading techniques that might be overwhelming, she focused on visual and audio clues, comparing the identification of reliable news to recognizing authentic banknotes.

Notably, Rosa incorporated WhatsApp’s newly launched AI verification tool into her curriculum, providing seniors with an accessible alternative to more complex fact-checking methods. This approach proved particularly effective since most participants primarily consumed information through messaging platforms rather than actively seeking out reliable sources.

Perhaps the most significant outcome of these workshops was the creation of “Conta Outra” (loosely translated as “Tell Me Another” or “Nice Try”), a WhatsApp group that now boasts 100 members. This judgment-free space allows workshop participants to share questionable messages, verify information collectively, and warn each other about potential scams.

To demystify journalism and strengthen trust in local media, Rosa also organized visits to news outlets where participants could observe reporters creating stories firsthand.

The impact has been substantial. One attendee shared that he previously dismissed his son’s corrections about misinformation as political bias but now recognizes “signs of manipulation” himself. More broadly, participants reported feeling more confident navigating a complex information environment and understanding how misinformation operates.

“They showed an openness to learning, which was very contagious,” Rosa said. “They valued the activity as a learning experience and expressed concern once they understood the risks they are exposed to via WhatsApp.”

Dissatisfied with existing verification techniques that fail to accommodate diverse audiences, Rosa has since begun a master’s research project investigating how information design can make both news and fact-checking more accessible to Brazilians. She continues leading workshops for seniors while expanding her program to high schools, where she focuses on combating climate misinformation, particularly regarding ocean protection.

Rosa’s innovative approach demonstrates that effective media literacy education must adapt to specific community needs rather than applying one-size-fits-all solutions—a valuable lesson for media literacy efforts worldwide.