Makerspace Varaždin held the Conference on the Impact of Fake News on European Democracies as part of the Media Masters project.
The conference brought together teachers, educators, journalists, students, media professionals and representatives of local organisations to discuss how fake news and disinformation affect democratic processes, public trust and everyday decision-making.
Through presentations, a panel discussion and practical group work, participants had the chance to hear different perspectives on the topic. The discussion covered examples from journalism, digital platforms, social media, artificial intelligence, deepfakes and fact-checking tools.
A strong focus was placed on education and the role of schools, youth workers and civil society in helping young people recognise manipulation and build stronger critical thinking skills.
The event opened a useful space for dialogue between media, education and the local community. It also confirmed that the fight against disinformation is not only a technical issue, but something that requires informed citizens, good education and open discussion.