The APA-Austrian Press Agency's second annual conference on May 23, 2024, focused on the growing challenges of mis- and disinformation, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between fact-checkers and researchers, particularly during elections. Project member Jakob-Moritz Eberl highlighted the need to democratize fact-checking to bolster European democracies, aligning with the Erasmus+ project ANALYSIS's mission to enhance media literacy and empower the public.
On May 23, 2024, the APA-Austrian Press Agency hosted its second annual conference on “The Future of Fact Checking,” bringing together fact-checkers and experts from diverse fields. Building on the success of last year’s event, this year’s conference focused on the escalating dangers and challenges in the fight against mis- and disinformation.
Project member Jakob-Moritz Eberl (UNIVIE) joined a panel discussion on disinformation and elections. He emphasized the critical role of collaboration between fact-checkers and researchers as exemplified within the Erasmus+ project ANALYSIS. This cooperation is pivotal in addressing the complexities of misinformation, especially during electoral processes.
Eberl underscored the importance of democratizing fact-checking to strengthen European democracies’ resilience against mis- and disinformation. By making fact-checking techniques more accessible and widespread, the resilience of democratic institutions can be significantly enhanced. This approach aligns with the core mission of ANALYSIS, which aims to advance media literacy and empower journalists and the public with effective tools to discern truth from falsehood.
The conference also addressed the broader implications of media literacy, the impact of disinformation on elections, and the dual nature of artificial intelligence (AI).
APA’s conference provided a vital platform for exchanging ideas and strategies to combat the evolving threat of mis- and disinformation. It reinforced the need for a collective effort involving journalists, researchers, and the public to safeguard the integrity of information in the digital age.
Stay tuned for more updates on our ongoing efforts to promote media literacy and combat “fake news” as part of the ANALYSIS project.
