The G-LENS project and the media literacy conference
The recent Sofia Information Integrity Forum (https://sofia-info-integrity.eu/ ) conference held in Sofia highlighted the growing problem of misinformation, especially targeting women and the LGBTI+ community. The conference results confirmed the worrying trends related to the spread of misogyny online and the need for urgent measures to increase media literacy.
In this context, the G-LENS project, on which we are starting work, appears to be a good response to the challenges identified at the forum. Aiming to increase media literacy and sensitivity among young people in Bulgaria, Romania, Poland and Cyprus, G-LENS focuses specifically on gender-related disinformation, and in particular on misogyny.
How G-LENS is responding to the issues raised at the conference:
• Focus on young people: As a key target group, young people are particularly vulnerable to manipulation and disinformation. G-LENS offers educational programs and tools to help them develop critical thinking and recognize fake news.
• Combating misogyny: The project directly addresses the problem of online misogyny, which manifests itself through insults, threats and violence against women. Through its activities, G-LENS promotes tolerance, equality and respect for all.
• International cooperation: As a regional project, G-LENS brings together the efforts of different countries to tackle the cross-border nature of disinformation. This allows for the exchange of best practices and the development of common strategies.
Specific activities of the G-LENS project:
• Analysis of the situation in the partner countries through desk research and the organization of focus groups with experts.
• Development of educational materials to help young people recognize gender-related disinformation.
• Organization of workshops and trainings for young people (16 to 30 years old), as well as for teachers, parents and youth workers, to help them understand the problems of disinformation and develop media literacy skills.
• Training in Cyprus for young journalists and online content creators to create a community to collaborate in the fight against disinformation.
• Partnership with influencers: collaboration with popular personalities on social media to reach a wider audience and spread messages of tolerance and equality.
• Exhibition of artifacts on the topic.
• Conferences in Bulgaria, Romania, Cyprus and Poland with experts and researchers.
The G-LENS project is positioned as an important tool in the fight against disinformation and the promotion of media literacy. Inspired by the outcomes of the Sofia Information Integrity Forum, G-LENS will work over the next two years to create a more informed and tolerant society, where women and all marginalized groups are protected from online violence and discrimination. Keywords: G-LENS, Sofia Information Integrity Forum, media literacy, disinformation, misogyny, women, youth, education