As part of its ongoing commitment to strengthening media literacy and promoting informed digital citizenship, Innovation Hive, partner organisation in the MEDMAS project, organised a public conference in Athens on 30 November, focusing on the growing challenges of disinformation and fake news in the digital era. The event was implemented in collaboration with INACT Festival and was hosted at Athens University of Economics and Business (ASOE), creating a strong academic and youth-oriented setting for the discussion.
The conference gathered 56 participants, predominantly young people and university students, alongside educators, civil society representatives, and engaged citizens. Hosting the event within a university environment proved particularly effective, as it directly engaged a demographic that is highly active online and therefore especially exposed to misinformation and misleading digital content.
The event opened with a structured presentation delivered by Innovation Hive, introducing the MEDMAS project and its objectives. The presentation explored how disinformation spreads across digital platforms, the psychological and social mechanisms behind fake news, and the impact of misinformation on democratic participation, public trust, and social cohesion. Special emphasis was placed on the role of young people as both consumers and potential amplifiers of online content, underlining the importance of critical thinking and media literacy skills in academic and everyday contexts.
Following the presentation, participants took part in an interactive session showcasing the MediaMasters educational game, developed within the MEDMAS project. Through live demonstration and open discussion, attendees explored realistic media scenarios and examined how news items can be analysed, verified, and questioned. This hands-on approach encouraged active participation and helped translate theoretical concepts into practical skills that young people can apply in their daily digital lives.
To further extend engagement, Innovation Hive also organised an information booth outside the main conference hall, offering an informal space for continued dialogue. Students and other attendees were invited to ask questions, explore the MEDMAS project tools in more depth, and discuss personal experiences related to fake news and online manipulation. This open format strengthened interaction and allowed the project to reach a wider audience beyond the structured conference session.
The MEDMAS conference at ASOE demonstrated the value of embedding media literacy initiatives within academic environments and youth-focused spaces. By combining expert input, interactive learning tools, and open discussion, the event highlighted how universities can act as key hubs for fostering critical digital citizenship.
In an era marked by information overload and declining trust in media, initiatives such as this MEDMAS conference offer a timely and impactful response. By empowering young people with the skills to critically assess information and engage responsibly online, the MEDMAS project continues to contribute to a more informed, resilient, and democratic society.
Με τη χρηματοδότηση της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης. Οι απόψεις και οι γνώμες που διατυπώνονται εκφράζουν αποκλειστικά τις απόψεις των συντακτών και δεν αντιπροσωπεύουν κατ’ανάγκη τις απόψεις της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης ή του Ευρωπαϊκού Εκτελεστικού Οργανισμού Εκπαίδευσης και Πολιτισμού (EACEA). Η Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση και ο EACEA δεν μπορούν να θεωρηθούν υπεύθυνοι για τις εκφραζόμενες απόψεις.
