Addressing Disinformation? Less talk more action!
On 25th of September EAVI attended the conference ‘Addressing Disinformation: Anticipating threat, building Resilience and Fostering open dialogue’ at the European Parliament, organised by the International Republican Institute, the ECR Group and the EPP group. Scheduled in two panels, the discussion brought together several experts with various backgrounds to critically evaluate the phenomenon of disinformation, and to propose initiatives and measures to tackle it. Overall, what emerged from the discussion, was the shared recognition that the media landscape has extensively changed since the rise of the Internet and while this this poses great potential in [...]
Are you aware of your Digital Footprint?
Recently, EAVI and the European Digital Learning Network (DLEARN), in collaboration with Prof. Przemek Sękalski of the Technical University of Lodz, worked together in developing an EU survey that analyses citizens awareness regarding their digital footprint. The survey aims to analyse how much control participants exercise over this digital footprint and how much control they wish they could have as well are looking at the safety aspects they would like to see in place in the future! The aim is to study the results to highlight potential areas in education and training that could be [...]
The Future of the Union: Next steps highlighted in Juncker’s Speech
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker today delivered his fourth and last State of the Union speech in the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Briefly, he evaluated last year’s achievements and the path towards 2019. Juncker opened his speech listing the main goals achieved in previous years: “Europe's economy has now grown for 21 consecutive quarters” “Jobs have returned, with almost 12 million new jobs created since 2014” and “Youth unemployment is at 14.8%. This is still too high a figure but is the lowest it has been since the year 2000”. The 2018 paramount success [...]
Online Shopping – A Cautionary Tale in Four Letters
This week, our very own communications officer demonstrated the necessity of paying attention when ordering online. We give to you this rollercoaster of events in four emails. To: Customer Service 00.14AM 29 August 2018 Dear sir I recently ordered a package from [Retailer]. It was to be delivered by [Courier] this evening. The [Courier] parcel tracker service tells me that a delivery attempt was made this evening. However, I have been in all evening, working at my computer, at a window which faces out onto the road, in silence, and with my dog beside me. [...]
What is Euroscepticism?
In recent years, Euroscepticism has moved towards mainstream political and popular culture, with a strength that has come as a surprise to many. Eurosceptic parties gain more traction and public support at a European, national and local level, threatening the legitimacy and popularity of the integration process. The debate in the media focuses on Eurosceptic claims, but in such a complex landscape, building a clear understanding of the phenomenon is not easy. In order to do so, we must look at a variety of concepts and articles from academic and non-academic sources. The basic definition [...]
How Media Literacy and Sustainability Go Hand in Hand
Besides the tremendous heat wave we are experiencing these weeks, there are many things that encourage my reflection on climate change these days. But beyond focusing only on the disastrous consequences of decades of reckless activities harmful to our environment, I like to discover new ways in which people are creating a positive impact. How do I find about this? Well, word of mouth is of course part of it, but most movements I have discovered-- and maybe so have you-- have been from the hours I spend constantly scrolling online. Technology and digital communications [...]
The New Copyright Legislation Proposals – A Help or a Hindrance?
At the beginning of June 2018, European lawmakers rejected a proposal by the European Parliaments Committee on Legal Affairs (known as JURI) to begin negotiations to update copyright laws for the digital age. The Parliament will now review once again in September. While the debate surrounding copyright continues to unfold, let’s take a moment to look at the main arguments in this controversial debate. The right of communication to the public under Article 3(1) of the Information Society Directive has been subject to many reviews and over time it has become increasingly complex but hugely [...]
Media Literacy Tools for Senior Citizens
The following article was written by Mrs. Deena Newaz, Program Officer of World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE). Deena manages the Learners’ Voice Program at the World Innovation Summit for Education. Prior to working at WISE she was a participant on the WISE Learners’ Voice program. She has previously worked at the Ministry of Education in Qatar, the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, Georgetown University, and Qatar Foundation. Deena graduated from Georgetown University with double honors in Culture and Politics with a focus on gendered violence during wartime. She is passionate about exploring and [...]
#MeToo, You Too and the Vanity of Women
A brief look at the role of diversity and feminism in media. My childhood was spent in art galleries. Not because I’m a particularly big fan of art (I’m not), or because I am an artist (I’m really not), but because my mother is an art historian who explained the world to me through paintings and sculptures. Effectively, through the media. When I was about 11, we stood in front of a painting of a naked woman looking in the mirror, and she said to me, “This was commissioned by a man, painted by a [...]
My Experience as a Refugee at the European Parliament
On Wednesday, 20 June 2018, the European Internet Forum met at their ‘EIF breakfast: World Refugee Day: the role of the Internet and ICTs,’ at the European Parliament. On World Refugee Day, many events were held to discuss the important issues of refugees, the migrant flows to Europe, and the importance of social integration in new host countries. Based on EAVI’s past and current work surrounding media literacy and migrants, I had the fortune to attend, representing EAVI. As for my role here, I am currently responsible for the follow-up of our concluded MyStory project, [...]
