Local training – Tenerife

Fight Fake News Local Training – Tenerife Spain

The local training for the Fight Fake News project in Tenerife occurred on January 12, 13, 14, and 24, 2023. Engaging and contemporary subjects related to fake news were discussed, as well as methods to combat them. The main conclusions drawn by the participants are as follows:

• The young people’s conclusions revolve around the idea of adapting to a society with fewer technologies while acknowledging their addiction to platforms like social networks. They believe that reducing technology use could lead to greater happiness through increased face-to-face social interactions.
• In the context of media, owners, categorized into state/government, private, and special interest groups, play a crucial role. The government’s interest lies in controlling media information, while private owners, who often have significant influence, profit from their media ventures. Special interest groups, including trade unions and political parties, are also involved in media ownership.
• The proliferation of technology, particularly social networks like Meta, has made it easier to spread fake news, making verification more challenging. The group argues that technology itself cannot be demonized, emphasizing the need to coexist with it.
• The group recognizes the challenge of identifying subtle fake news and discusses denialists as purveyors of misinformation, particularly exploiting fears through scientific conspiracies like doomsday scenarios. The COVID-19 pandemic saw the rampant spread of misinformation.
• Migration is another critical issue discussed, with the group highlighting the importance of promoting awareness about the reasons behind migration. They criticize media’s selective portrayal of migrants, showing bias against those from Africa and favoring those from Ukraine.
• The group also mentions memes as a form of humor and coping mechanism to combat the prevalence of fake news in daily life.
• In conclusion, the group emphasizes the need for educational tools to combat fake news, recognizing that individuals may need to equip themselves with knowledge and tools to deal with misinformation due to potential disinterest or vested interests of those in power. They stress the importance of consulting diverse sources and considering alternative perspectives before making judgments or decisions based solely on initial information.