On Thursday, 20th November, we run a workshop as part of the Soft Skills 4 Democracy project on the topic of “Soft Skills in Communication on Information and fake news”.
The workshop aimed to help participants sharpen their critical thinking and learn how to identify fake news through hands-on activities and discussion. In an age where information shapes opinions and power, developing the ability to question, verify, and discern truth from manipulation has never been more important.
The session began with a visual challenge, where participants were shown a series of photos and asked to decide which ones were real and which were fake. This sparked curiosity and debate, as many images that seemed authentic at first glance turned out to be digitally altered or taken out of context.
In the second part, participants worked in small groups to create their own news stories, mixing real and fake elements. Each team then presented their piece, while others tried to identify which parts were fabricated. This exercise revealed how easily information can be manipulated, and how convincing false narratives can appear when presented professionally.
Finally, we concluded with a debriefing and open discussion on strategies to identify misinformation. Together, we explored fact-checking tools, source verification methods, and the ethical implications of spreading false information. Participants reflected on the potential dangers of fake news in shaping public opinion, polarizing societies, and undermining trust in media.
The project SoftSkills4Democracy (Pr. nr. 2024-1-DE04-KA154-YOU-000234648) is funded by the Erasmus+ foundation.
