{"id":2210764,"date":"2025-06-13T10:01:14","date_gmt":"2025-06-13T08:01:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/webalkans.eu\/?p=2210764"},"modified":"2025-06-13T10:34:21","modified_gmt":"2025-06-13T08:34:21","slug":"disinformation-gets-clicks-facts-build-trust","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/webalkans.eu\/en\/news\/disinformation-gets-clicks-facts-build-trust\/","title":{"rendered":"Disinformation gets clicks, facts build trust"},"content":{"rendered":"

Podgorica, 13 June 2025<\/span><\/b>:<\/span>\u00a0 \u201c<\/span><\/b>We came long way from Economy of money to Economy of information, than to Economy of attention down to Economy of emotions. Today we have Economy of trust. The key shift is no longer asking \u201cIs it true?\u201d but \u201cDo I trust the source?\u201d\u2014a question that demands we build critical thinking, digital literacy, communication, collaboration, empathy, and compassion\u201d.\u00a0 <\/span><\/i>With this words Ioana Avadani a media expert from Romania opened\u00a0 Facts Content Lab\u00a0 in Podgorica, that is taking place as a part of DG ENEST WeBalkans media literacy campaign \u201cFacts Come First\u201d.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Lab offered a rare opportunity for journalists, influencers, fact-checkers, and content creators from across the Western Balkans to come together and share local perspectives on disinformation. They explored how this phenomenon affects everyday life in the region and highlighted the importance of factual accuracy, critical thinking, and informed civic participation.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cDisinformation isn’t merely about spreading falsehoods, it’s about controlling public discourse and undermining democratic values. Countering disinformation protects democracy, promotes informed decision-making, and ultimately leads to stronger, media-literate societies,\u201d<\/span><\/i> said Raluca Costache, Team leader of WeBalkans Programme and added <\/span>\u201cThrough the Facts Come First campaign, we emphasize that disinformation thrives on confusion and facts bring clarity. A fact based perspective on EU accession allows citizens of the Western Balkans to critically assess information and reject false narratives.\u201d<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"All<\/p>\n

A key thematic focus of the Lab was the debunking of common misconceptions about EU accession. Participants discussed how content creators, especially journalists can unpack false narratives and offer audiences of both, EU Member States and the Western Balkans a clearer understanding of the EU accession process.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Also, one of the most interesting segment was projecting the \u201cfuture of truth\u201d. Participants explored what might impact the truth in 2040. AI-generated news emerged as both, a challenge and a lens through which the role of humans was reasserted. And it was concluded- AI may assist, but human empathy will lead, because people will always need people.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>When reporting and trying to verify sources and claims, you become aware not only of the speed at which disinformation spreads, but also of the sheer volume of it in public discourse\u2014and how<\/span><\/i> deeply it shapes public opinion. Our task is not only to correct false information, but also to regain people\u2019s trust, letter by letter, story by story<\/span><\/i>,\u201d said journalist Dejan \u0160ajinovi\u0107, <\/span>Nezavisne novine<\/span><\/i>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Across the event, participants explored how to counter disinformation in fresh and impactful ways. Working in dynamic teams, they developed creative multimedia contents designed to resonate with audiences and promote credible, fact-based sources.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Discussion\"<\/p>\n

\u201cAs an influencer, I believe it\u2019s most important to remain true to who I am in real life. I\u2019m not just someone who talks about books\u2014I use my platform to share real opinion and contribute to meaningful conversations in Albanian society, always verifying sources and checking facts. Just like with book reviews\u2014you can\u2019t talk about a book by telling a different story. On social media, honesty should be your goal if you want to build a long-term relation with audience that truly trusts you<\/span><\/i>,\u201d said Xhorxhina Roci, an influencer..<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to AI-driven disinformation the participants examined persuasive techniques, biased reporting, and native advertising, which increasingly blur the line between information and manipulation.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In that context the importance of fact checking was highlighted as a process that is not\u00a0 just about catching falsehoods\u2014it\u2019s about slowing down the hype in public space so truth has time to catch up. In a sea of viral content, the role of fact checkers\u00a0 is to bring evidence back into focus.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Lab also underlines the need for creating better conditions for strengthening independent and professional media environment. Through support for media integrity, fact-checking initiatives, and media independence, the EU seeks to reinforce public trust in credible journalism across the Western Balkans.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Fact<\/p>\n

\u201cFighting disinformation isn\u2019t only about presenting facts\u2014it\u2019s about rebuilding trust. People need to believe not just in the accuracy of information, but in the integrity of those who share it. Trust is the bridge between truth and understanding, and without it, facts can fall on deaf ears.\u201d<\/span><\/i> \u2013 said <\/span>Avadani<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Three intensive days of production resulted in content ready for publication: videos, reels, articles, and social media stories that reflect not only the views of journalists, influencers, fact-checkers, and content creators on the topic of disinformation, but also the way they would communicate about it with their audiences.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For more information, visit the web page of the Disinformation Campaign<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Podgorica, 13 June 2025:\u00a0 \u201cWe came long way from Economy of money to Economy of information, than to Economy of attention down to Economy of <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2210768,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"country-for-news":[53,54,49,50,51,52],"class_list":["post-2210764","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","country-for-news-north-macedonia","country-for-news-serbia","country-for-news-albania","country-for-news-bosnia-and-herzegovina","country-for-news-kosovo","country-for-news-montenegro"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nDisinformation gets clicks, facts build trust News | WeBalkans<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, 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