EU-DEM – Stop disinfo! Disinformation, storytelling & media awareness

The “Stop Disinfo!” workshop was organised within the framework of the EU-DEM project, a European initiative bringing together organisations, researchers, journalists, and educators to strengthen democratic resilience, combat disinformation, and promote active, informed citizenship.

The local event in Hungary aimed to empower participants – young people, educators, and civil society actors – to recognise false narratives, question information sources, and take an active role in promoting responsible online communication.

Workshop flow

Over four hours, participants explored how misinformation spreads and how individuals can counter it creatively. The session began with a warm-up quiz, “True or False?”, challenging assumptions and encouraging reflection on fact-checking practices.

This was followed by an interactive presentation on the mechanisms of fake news, its psychological impact, and examples drawn from real online trends.

Small-group discussions helped participants analyse where they obtain their information and how they assess credibility. During the exercise “Who wrote it and why?”, participants deconstructed misleading headlines and posts to uncover motives, emotional manipulation, and missing context. The atmosphere remained dynamic with a Disinfo Bingo game highlighting typical signs of manipulation.

The closing “Stop Fake News!” creative challenge invited participants to design their own awareness campaigns – posters, memes, or slogans – to inspire critical thinking. Through peer voting, the most creative, thought-provoking, and humorous ideas were recognised, fostering ownership and collaboration.

Results and impact

With 47 participants actively engaged, the workshop successfully combined expert input, group work, and creative production within a four-hour timeframe. It strengthened critical media literacy and collective awareness of disinformation in an engaging and participatory manner.

Participants left with practical tools to verify content, challenge misleading narratives, and design outreach actions within their communities. The Foundation for Subjective Values and Központ Association will continue supporting the local follow-up of campaign ideas, contributing to the broader EU-DEM objective of empowering citizens to safeguard democracy through knowledge, creativity, and collaboration.