Researcher Vítor Tomé took part in the International Media Literacy Research Symposium, held in Rome from 4 to 6 June, with sessions hosted at John Cabot University and the Vatican. Alongside his participation, he also served as a member of the symposium’s scientific organising committee.
During the event, Vítor Tomé, from Iscte – IUL, and Carolina Fernández-Castrillo, from Universidad Carlos III de Madrid and a fellow IBERIFIER researcher, presented the paper “Media Literacy against Ecoanxiety in the Post-Truth Era”. Their research examines the role of media literacy in addressing climate-related disinformation and the growing phenomenon of eco-anxiety.
The study argues that the accelerating climate crisis requires a fundamental transformation in the way media organisations produce and disseminate information, calling for higher standards of ethics, accountability and sustainability in media production. From this perspective, the media are conceived as a socio-technological ecosystem in which the environmental impact of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) must also be taken into account.
The researchers contend that this ecological framework should be embedded within educational practice through interactive and experiential learning approaches that strengthen environmental awareness and citizens’ critical thinking skills. Among the strategies examined, active prebunking techniques – which aim to anticipate and neutralise disinformation before it spreads – are shown to be more effective than the passive provision of information. However, the study also highlights that these interventions require regular reinforcement to ensure their long-term effectiveness.
According to the authors, tackling climate disinformation demands integrated approaches that combine critical and empathetic strategies with systemic reforms of media platforms and supportive public policies. Such measures are considered essential to fostering environmentally responsible behavior while strengthening citizens’ psychological resilience in an era of increasing ecological fragility.
The paper is also linked to two forthcoming special issues of the international journals Digital Journalism and the Journal of Media Literacy Education. The special issues are being co-edited by Carolina Fernández-Castrillo, Vítor Tomé, Antonio López and Ramón Salaverría, all IBERIFIER researchers, with Salaverría also serving as the project’s coordinator.
