Disinformation has become one of the most pressing challenges facing modern societies. Across the European Union, it undermines the resilience of democracy, weakens public trust, and deepens social divisions.

In response to this growing concern, the ECHO project – Empowering Citizens against Hallucinations and Online Manipulation – was launched. The responsible consortium includes, among others, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. The project is a comprehensive initiative that combats disinformation with a multidimensional approach. Further information can be found here .

By combining citizen participation, technological innovation, ethical awareness, and participatory design, the project brings together citizens, educators, healthcare professionals, media stakeholders, and civil society. The aim is to equip them with the necessary tools and skills to identify, understand, and counteract misleading information in a responsible and inclusive manner.

Disinformation is increasingly infiltrating educational institutions.

One focus of the initiative is education. Given the increasing prevalence of misinformation in learning environments, ECHO is conducting a survey in this area. This survey aims to gain a better understanding of how students, teachers, and professionals in different European countries encounter and evaluate inaccurate or misleading information in educational contexts.

The survey also aims to shed light on the sources of misinformation, how individuals assess the reliability of information, and the broader implications for teaching and learning. The results should contribute to identifying effective strategies for strengthening media literacy and improving the quality and integrity of information in education.

Prof. Ioanna Kostarella, project leader of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki team in the ECHO project, says: “The insights gained will play a crucial role in shaping future educational practices and strategies to combat disinformation.”

The survey can be accessed via the following link: https://newsurveys.jour.auth.gr/index.php/558476

This text was provided by Prof. Ioanna Kostarella. Featured image: Pexels