Anti-Rumour raises awareness regarding fake news and conspiracy theories with a focus on disinformation surrounding environmental awareness and social inclusion. The project addresses young people in particular, who are more familiar and present in social media and can quickly transform into active media producers rather than passive media consumers.

We all receive news actively or passively on a daily basis. Sometimes we scroll though and sometimes we linger a bit longer. But let’s take a moment to think.

Have you ever come across an analysis or article multiple times on social media which gave answers to social, or environmental challenges of our times such as climate change or certain aspects of human rights, however you found it hard to track the source or you identified that there was no scientific backup behind it?

Never before has it been so easy for any citizen or association of any kind to express their own opinions or create and disseminate news. And while on one side it is an expression of our right for freedom of speech, on the other, if used irresponsibly, this “power” might debilitate or even threaten rights of certain communities. The challenges that our global society has been facing in the last years have shown us more than once how misinformation can negatively affect important issues like climate change, immigration, public health policy resulting in distrust, weakening engagement in democratic processes, political institutions and weakening democracy itself. Therefore, the discernment of fake news and conspiracy theories becomes crucial to have well-informed citizens and to strengthen democracy and make it more resilient.