Media Literacy Capacity-Building for Western Balkan Students: Tackling the Spread of Disinformation

Why Media Literacy Matters

The Western Balkans faces a significant challenge in countering disinformation due to persistently low media literacy levels. This gap makes individuals more susceptible to biased reporting, propaganda, and misinformation, which in turn fuels political and social tensions, undermining democracy and regional stability. Additionally, the region’s media landscape is often criticized for ideological biases, lack of transparency, and susceptibility to political influence—all of which contribute to the unregulated spread of false information.

Project Objectives

The project’s primary goal is to enhance media literacy among young people—students from diverse academic backgrounds across the Western Balkans—enabling them to identify and challenge biases that threaten democratic cooperation, social cohesion, and reconciliation.

A key component of the initiative is the development of public awareness campaigns designed by participants. These campaigns will target online spaces, where disinformation spreads most rapidly, ensuring that young people across the region are better equipped to navigate the digital information landscape.

Regional Conference on Media Literacy and Disinformation

On November 21, 2024, we successfully organized the Regional Conference on Media Literacy and Disinformation in Belgrade as part of the project “Strengthening Media Literacy to Counter Disinformation on EU Integration Among Western Balkan Youth,” supported by the Western Balkans Fund. The event brought together experts, policymakers, and young leaders to discuss the crucial role of media literacy in the EU integration process of the Western Balkans.

The conference opened with remarks from key representatives of the consortium, who set the stage for discussions on how disinformation affects democratic processes and regional cooperation.

The first panel examined the challenges of disinformation in the context of EU integration, featuring insights from leading analysts and media professionals. Panelists discussed the ways misleading narratives shape public perceptions of the EU, the role of independent media in countering false information, and effective strategies for fostering a more informed public discourse.

The second panel focused on youth perspectives on EU integration and their role in strengthening media literacy. Young representatives from across the Western Balkans shared their experiences, concerns, and ideas for combating disinformation in their communities. The discussion highlighted how media-literate youth can contribute to a more resilient and democratic information space.

By fostering dialogue between experts and young changemakers, the conference successfully strengthened regional cooperation and promoted media literacy as a tool for democratic resilience. The insights and connections made during the event will continue to inspire efforts to counter disinformation and empower the next generation of informed citizens in the Western Balkans.

Summer School on Media Literacy

From September 3 to September 10, 2024, a consortium of organizations from the Balkans and Visegrad countries co-organized an engaging Summer School on Media Literacy in the picturesque town of Žabljak, Montenegro. Bringing together 30 young leaders from across the Western Balkans, the program aimed to equip participants with the skills needed to navigate today’s complex information landscape and counter the spread of disinformation.

The program began with interactive team-building activities, fostering collaboration and a strong foundation for learning. Throughout the week, participants engaged in expert-led sessions on topics such as hybrid threats, digital security, fact-checking, and the financial and political motivations behind disinformation. They explored the role of artificial intelligence in creating fake news, learned about investigative research methods, and gained insights into the power of strategic communication in addressing societal polarization. The program also featured hands-on workshops, where participants applied their knowledge to analyze media narratives and develop targeted awareness campaigns.

Beyond knowledge-building, the Summer School served as a catalyst for action. Participants discussed strategies for implementing media literacy initiatives in their home countries, ensuring that the skills and insights gained during the program would translate into real-world impact. By fostering critical thinking and strengthening digital resilience, the initiative empowered a new generation of young leaders to challenge misinformation and contribute to a more informed and democratic society in the Western Balkans.