Germany has introduced a school-based approach to combat the rising threat of disinformation, embedding media literacy and digital resilience into its education system.
The initiative is aimed at children, teenagers, parents, and professionals, providing them with the skills to detect and challenge false information, particularly online.
Ms. Susanne Bohmig of the Media Literacy Centre, Foundation for Youth and Family, explained that t”he programme is designed to promote critical thinking and enhance society’s ability to resist disinformation.”
The strategy was showcased during the Willkommen Visitor Programme organised by the German government, with support from the Goethe Institute in Berlin.
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As part of the programme, journalists from 16 countries received training on the responsibilities of media professionals and influencers in tackling disinformation, foreign information manipulation, and interference.
Participants also gained hands-on experience in identifying fake content and understanding how disinformation spreads, especially across social media platforms.
Bohmig noted that “Germany’s approach prioritises inclusivity, ensuring that children with disabilities are fully integrated into the learning process.”
She said that learning plans are customised to suit the specific needs of individual students.
“This allows them to learn in a more conducive manner, and their curriculum is structured for half a year based on the goals the child should achieve within the stipulated time frame.”
“However, for children without disabilities, their curriculum is designed within a shorter time frame to achieve set goals. This is necessary to ensure every child becomes media literate on disinformation,” Bohmig said.
She added that the pace of assimilation varies, particularly among children with disabilities, depending on individual learning needs.
Prof. Gernot Wolfram of the Federal Agency for Civic Education said the rise of Artificial Intelligence had made disinformation more complex, urging journalists to adapt to the changing information landscape.
NAN