The Center for Independent Journalism and UNICEF invite students and teachers to a media literacy lesson on conspiracy theories

BUCHAREST, May 30, 2021. The last year of the pandemic proved to be a very fertile ground for conspiracy theories, which gained strength and circulated online at the speed of light. Therefore, the Center for Independent Journalism, together with UNICEF in Romania, invites teachers and students in Romania to take part, between May 26 and June 11, 2021, in an exercise for middle school and high school students, anchored in the reality of the last year, with the theme: "Conspiracy theories - how we recognize them and how we can prevent them from falling prey to their influence".

The lesson aims to get to the root of the problem and reach the most important points related to this topic: how a conspiracy theory is constructed, what manipulation tactics it uses, how we can recognize it and avoid the attraction it generates. The purpose of the exercise is to get students used to recognizing and avoiding falling into the trap of misinformation when browsing online.

The package of teaching materials, including practical exercises, made available to teachers and students includes both a version for face-to-face teaching and one for online teaching, so that the message is best adapted to the teaching environment and the classes are interactive and relevant to all students. In addition, on May 27, June 2, June 4, from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm, a representative of the IJC will provide teachers with advice and assistance in carrying out the activity.

"For years, we at the IJC have been running a media literacy program for high school students, through which, together with their teachers, we have taken on the role of teaching them how to fight disinformation in all its forms. Conspiracy theories are just one of the forms that disinformation can take - a form that is spreading very successfully in the online environment, as demonstrated by the last year of the pandemic. We believe that the lesson learned with the support of UNICEF in Romania is even more relevant, at a time when children's interaction with the Internet has increased exponentially. Therefore, we invite all teachers to join this effort to develop students' critical thinking and ability to recognize and dismantle this type of disinformation," says Cristina Lupu, Executive Director at the Center for Independent Journalism.

"Through the lesson that we offer to students and teachers, we continue our efforts to develop media literacy as part of the partnership between UNICEF and the Center for Independent Journalism. This type of education is essential for today's and tomorrow's children, especially in the context of the infodemic that accompanies the pandemic we are going through, helping to increase the level of resilience against disinformation, for both students and teachers," said Pieter Bult, UNICEF Representative in Romania.

Teachers who want to join the activity are invited to access the link https://www.qie.ro/educatiemedia/, to find out more information to download the package of teaching materials and exercises and to carry out class activity until June 11.