EUCOMMvsDISINFO

The First International Workshop of the EUCOMMvsDISINFO project, held in Larnaca, Cyprus, from March 9th to 12th, concluded successfully after four days of intense discussions and collaborations. Organized and hosted by the VAMOS association, the event saw the participation of six organizations from Cyprus, Italy, Spain, Greece, and Poland.

 

"The fight against disinformation is a collective commitment that requires the collaboration of all sectors of society," emphasized Maria Kyriakou, President of VAMOS. "This workshop demonstrated the importance of dialogue and knowledge sharing in addressing this challenge."

 

With approximately 60 participants from various parts of the European Union, the workshop provided a unique opportunity to explore the critical issue of disinformation and fake news. During the two working sessions, participants were actively engaged in reflecting on the problem of fake news and the risks of disinformation, using informal methodologies and group work.

 

"We have seen how disinformation can undermine trust in democracy," highlighted Loizos Hadjianastasiou, general secretary of VAMOS "It is essential to act together to counter this threat and protect our democratic values."

 

A part of the workshop was dedicated to the theme "The first time I realized that the media were lying," with each delegation contributing their reflections and sharing experiences. The topic of disinformation was examined in-depth, starting from its definition as an intentional and targeted action for disturbance, to exploring the various narratives and patterns used. Different tools provided by the European Union to citizens for fact-checking news, such as the EDMO platform, were presented and explored. Awareness was raised regarding the importance of the official portal of the European Union as a primary tool for information on the functioning and activities of the Union.

 

"The success of this workshop demonstrates the common will to protect our democracy from the influence of disinformation," added another participant. "We will continue to work together to build an informed and aware society."

 

The next step of the project will be the Second International Workshop, to be held in Italy, focusing on online disinformation and the new challenges of artificial intelligence. With the support and enthusiasm of the participants, the project continues to move forward in its mission to counter disinformation and protect European democracy.