IBERIFIER lectures on disinformation to 160 young people on the 40th anniversary of Spain and Portugal’s accession to the EU

The Iberian Observatory of Digital Media (IBERIFIER), represented by its coordinator Ramón Salaverría, Full Professor of Journalism at the University of Navarra, will take part in the event that will bring together 160 young people from Spain and Portugal in Punta Umbría (Huelva, Spain) from June 1 to 3. The gathering, organized by the European Parliament’s Office in Spain to commemorate the 40th anniversary of both countries joining the European Union, will serve as a platform to discuss the main challenges facing Iberian societies, with a special focus on disinformation.

Under the slogan “You Portugal, I Spain, Together Europe,” students from the European Parliament Ambassador Schools, representing six educational institutions from both countries, will work in groups to develop proposals on key issues such as mental health, social media, artificial intelligence, and housing. One of the most anticipated moments of the program will be the debate on disinformation, during which Salaverría will deliver a lecture titled Disinformation in Portugal and Spain: What it is and how to fight it.”

In his presentation, Salaverría will discuss how disinformation has become a global phenomenon impacting not only the democracies of Spain and Portugal, but the entire European region. Drawing from his experience as coordinator of IBERIFIER, he will highlight the importance of equipping young people with the necessary tools to recognize and combat fake news in today’s digital environment. He will also reflect on the role of digital media in spreading disinformation and how collaboration between observatories and research centers, such as IBERIFIER, is essential to ensure a healthier information ecosystem.

The event will also feature notable participants such as former Portuguese MEP Carlos Coelho and Spanish MEP Marcos Ros, and will include various activities such as debates, roundtables, and collaborative workshops.

With this initiative, IBERIFIER reaffirms its commitment to media literacy education, especially for young audiences, at a time of increasing concern over disinformation. Through his participation, Salaverría will provide students with essential tools to recognize the dangers of disinformation and adopt effective strategies to counter it in their daily lives.

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ESPAÑOL

El Observatorio Ibérico de Medios Digitales (IBERIFIER), a través de su coordinador Ramón Salaverría, catedrático de Periodismo de la Universidad de Navarra, participará en un evento que reunirá a 160 jóvenes de España y Portugal en Punta Umbría (Huelva) entre el 1 y el 3 de junio. Este encuentro, organizado por la Oficina en España del Parlamento Europeo para conmemorar el 40º aniversario de la entrada de ambos países en la Unión Europea, será una plataforma para debatir sobre los principales desafíos que afrontan las sociedades ibéricas, con un enfoque particular en la desinformación.

Bajo el lema “Tú Portugal, yo España, juntos Europa”, los estudiantes de las Escuelas Embajadoras del Parlamento Europeo, procedentes de seis centros educativos de ambos países, trabajarán en grupos para desarrollar propuestas sobre temas cruciales como la salud mental, las redes sociales, la inteligencia artificial y la vivienda. Sin embargo, uno de los momentos más destacados del programa será el debate sobre desinformación, en el que Salaverría presentará su ponencia titulada Desinformación en Portugal y en España: qué es y cómo combatirla.

En su intervención, Salaverría abordará cómo la desinformación se ha convertido en un fenómeno global que afecta no solo a las democracias de España y Portugal, sino a toda la región europea. A través de su experiencia como coordinador de IBERIFIER, el profesor subrayará la importancia de dotar a los jóvenes de las herramientas necesarias para identificar y enfrentar las noticias falsas en el contexto digital actual. Además, reflexionará sobre el papel de los medios digitales en la propagación de la desinformación y cómo la cooperación entre observatorios y centros de investigación, como el IBERIFIER, es fundamental para garantizar un entorno informativo más saludable.

Este evento, que también contará con la participación de figuras destacadas como el ex-eurodiputado portugués Carlos Coelho y el eurodiputado español Marcos Ros, incluye diversas actividades, como debates, mesas redondas y dinámicas de trabajo.

Con este encuentro, IBERIFIER reafirma su compromiso con la educación en alfabetización mediática, especialmente dirigida a la juventud, en un contexto de creciente preocupación por la desinformación. A través de su participación, Salaverría ofrecerá a los jóvenes herramientas esenciales para que puedan identificar los peligros de la desinformación y adoptar estrategias efectivas para contrarrestarla en su día a día.

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