True or false? How to defend yourself against disinformation

In today's complex digital and media landscape, citizens must become more resilient against disinformation. This is where media literacy can help, by enhancing critical thinking and helping citizens better navigate information, especially online, and identify and counter disinformation. Between 24 and 31 October, we mark Global Media and Information Literacy week, an occasion to raise awareness about the importance of promoting media and information literacy for all.

The EU supports EU countries and civil society in taking measures that develop media literacy skills and the Commission facilitates the sharing of best practices. Guidelines and toolkits have also been developed for teachers to help them ensure digital literacy through education.

In the context of the 2024 European elections, the Commission also released a number of awareness-raising products for wide and continuous use by citizens and professionals, and ran an EU-wide campaign, together with the European Regulators Group for Audiovisual Media Services.

The European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO) also brings together fact-checkers, academia and other relevant stakeholders. Supported by the Commission, EDMO contributes to identifying best practices in the field of media literacy, promoting knowledge exchange and to carrying out awareness-raising campaigns.

Disinformation, misinformation and foreign information manipulation and interference are a serious threat to democracy and societies. 86% of Europeans agree with this, noting that the rapid spread of disinformation is a major problem for democracy, according to an EU survey. Building societal resilience against disinformation through media literacy will therefore continue to play a crucial role in helping citizens of all ages to navigate the modern news environment and take informed decisions.

For more information

Media literacy

Building societal resilience against disinformation

Strategic communication & tackling disinformation

Protect yourself from disinformation - practical tips and material

Video tips