Building Trust in Media in South East Europe and Turkey- Phase 2

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In the context of a rapid digital transformation and the thriving of information chaos characterized by a decline in the commitment of professional journalistic standards, the thriving of disinformation, and a clear decline in the civil society’s trust in media, UNESCO and the European Union have launched the second phase of the project “Building Trust in Media in South East Europe and Turkey.”

How?

To achieve its overall objective, the project specifically aims at:

Increasing critical thinking among youth thanks to piloting Media and Information Literacy (MIL) skills in formal and non-formal education;
Improving capacities of media outlets to counter misinformation and disinformation;
Strengthening media accountability and increasing media good governance towards users by supporting self-regulation mechanisms’ sustainability.

When:

November 2019

November 2022

Where:

The project is being implemented in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey, as well as in Kosovo (administered by the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo in the context of UN Security Council Resolution 1244).

Overview of activities

Introducing MIL in formal and non-formal education systems

Provide technical support to authorities, duty-bearers and curricula development agencies on MIL
Offer teacher training to introduce MIL curricula in primary and secondary schools
Enhance the MIL capacities of youth development agencies and organisations

Improving the capacities of media outlets and young reporters to counter disinformation

Empower selected independent media outlets with knowledge and skills for the digital age including fact-checking skills
Improve the internal governance of selected media outlets through the commitment to new transparency mechanisms and labour rights
Enhance the capacities of young reporters to address online disinformation

Strengthen media accountability through sustainable self-regulation mechanisms

Direct support to press and media councils to strengthen their capacities and sustainability
Exchange of best practices on digital media ethics and activities of press and media councils on disinformation and MIL

Resources about the project

Combatting conspiracy theories: visual learning materials for social media use

As the Covid-19 pandemic swept the world, we have seen a dramatic increase in conspiracy theories on social media relating to its origin and spread. In its commitment to address this challenge, UNESCO has launched a social media campaign disseminating comprehensive and easily accessible visual learning material that instructs social media users on how to recognize, understand, debunk, respond to, and report on conspiracy theories relating to Covid-19. The infographics are available in all local languages of the South East Europe region and Turkish under the #ThinkBeforeSharing and #TrustInMediaSEE hashtags.

Download all the graphics (ZIP File): in Albanian - BHS - North Macadonian - Turkish

Albanian

BHS

North Macedonian

Turkish

Serbian

Resources: MIL skills in times of COVID-19 disinformation

In connection with the Coronavirus outbreak, the world also witnessed an “infodemic”, with disinformation and misinformation as fast as the virus on social media. To provide users with easy to apply MIL skills that will help users to navigate through the overwhelming amount of information shared about the virus, UNESCO has launched a social media campaign on MIL and COVID-19 with practical tips and best practices. The campaign is based on a series of infographics available in all local languages of the South East Europe region, as well as in Turkish, in open access and free to be used, downloaded and shared under the hashtags #TrustInMediaSEE and MilClicksSEE.

Download all the graphics (ZIP File): in Albanian - BHS - North Macadonian - Turkish

Albanian

BHS

North Macedonian

Turkish

SEE MIL platform – South East Europe Media and Information Literacy

The SEE MIL platform is created within the UNESCO EU-funded project “Building Trust in Media in South East Europe and Turkey – phase 2” that, among others, aims to promote MIL in formal and informal education in the region. The platform offers an overview of the current state of play of Media and information in the region in formal and informal education, mapping out efforts and results achieved in MIL by different organisations across the region.

SEE Regional Conference on Media and Information Literacy

Organized on 21 October 2021 in Sarajevo, UNESCO South East Europe Regional Conference on Media and Information Literacy aimed to take stock of introducing MIL in formal and informal education in South East Europe. The event was organised as a part of the UNESCO EU-funded project “Building Trust in Media in South East Europe and Turkey – Phase 2,” marking the UNESCO Global MIL Week 2021 with its central theme - “MIL for the public good.”

The SEE MIL offers an overview of the current state of play of Media and information in South East Europe and Turkey in formal and informal education, mapping out efforts and results achieved in MIL by different organisations across the region.

The SEE region is witnessing a multiplication of projects and initiatives to ensure that supporting MIL as a priority translates into reality. Taking stock of those projects and initiatives, the panel session gave the voice to some project beneficiaries or stakeholders.

As online platforms became the dominant information source for youth, their critical thinking and engagement are more important than ever to engage with information responsibly and counter online disinformation and hate speech. The panel explored how to empower youth in SEE through MIL and increase their capacity to engage with quality information, counter malign narratives online, and act as educators of their peers.

The Covid-19 pandemic revealed the critical role of journalism in providing access to reliable information and empowering citizens in debunking false information. The panel explored the tools developed by the media to help citizens access reliable information.

Donor partner

European Union

The primary objective of the European Union’s development policy is the eradication of poverty in the context of sustainable development. EU partnerships with developing countries to promote respect for human rights, peace, democracy, good governance, gender equality, the rule of law and justice.

Contacts

Marius Lukosiunas, Programme Specialist, Communication and Information Sector (CI)
Tel: 33-1 45 68 04 08
Alton Grizzle, Programme Specialist, Communication and Information Sector (CI)
Tel: 33-1 45 68 42 11
Adeline Hulin, Project Officer, Division of Freedom of Expression and Media Development, UNESCO Liaison Office and Representation to the European Institutions
Tel: 32(0) 2 290 89 62