Over a hundred grades from schools across Lithuania put their skills to test in first-ever disinformation literacy exam
A disinformation literacy exam - a collaboration between the Office of the Government and Debunk.org - debuted today in Lithuania, with participation of nearly 2000 students from 33 cities and towns. Results will be tallied over the coming week, and the winning class will be honoured at the Office of the Government.
‘Aggressive regimes primarily seek to influence our belief in democracy, freedom, and Western values. The fight against anti-democratic narratives and disinformation will be successful only if not just institutions or non-governmental organizations are involved, but if every citizen critically evaluates information and understands the harm of disinformation to democracy. This exam is not so much a test of knowledge as an opportunity to learn and understand more about these challenges. So I am pleased that young people are expanding their horizons, increasing resilience, and will contribute to the development of a modern and free Lithuania in the future’, said Government Chancellor Giedrė Balčytytė.
‘When compiling the national disinformation literacy exam for schools, we centred our efforts on young people who are deeply immersed in the digital realm. Studies reveal that although students may feel assured in their ability to spot misinformation, many struggle to differentiate a trustworthy global news outlet from a platform propagating Russian narratives. Furthermore, with the advent of increasingly sophisticated artificial intelligence technologies, there is a pressing need to consistently enhance levels of media literacy,’ highlighted Viktoras Daukšas, Director of Debunk.org.
A total of 107 senior grades, representing 61 schools nationwide, participated in the exam after pre-registration. The exam was preceded by discussions on disinformation, artificial intelligence, and social media algorithms between students and experts in disinformation analysis.
For those interested, Debunk.org offers a digital, free course called InfoSkydas intended to teach individuals to identify false and misleading information. For more information on the course, please visit here.