From Theory to Practice: Interactive Workshops on Media and Information in Dolj High Schools

As part of the E.P.I.C. - Education for Correct Information project, high schools in Dolj county hosted a series of interactive workshops in March and June, focused on media literacy and information analysis. These sessions were led by trained mentors in each high school, in collaboration with an experienced trainer.

What is the E.P.I.C. project?

The E.P.I.C. project is implemented by Active Yourope and funded through the Civic Innovation Fund programme, initiated by the Foundation for the Development of Civil Society (FDSC), in partnership with the Romanian American Foundation (RAF) and supported by the Centre for Independent Journalism (CJI).

The project’s goal is to develop students’ critical thinking and their ability to analyze the information they encounter in the media.

Activities and topics covered

The workshops covered current and relevant topics, such as:

• types of information chaos - students learned to recognize and understand forms of disinformation;
• persuasion messages - analyzing how media messages can influence public opinion;
• facts versus opinions - distinguishing between objective information and subjective perspectives;
• fact-checking - methods and tools for evaluating the accuracy of data;
• freedom of expression - debates on its importance and limits;
• deconstructing media messages - critically analyzing the context and content of messages.

Participants also learned about good social media practices and the importance of personal data protection.

Innovative learning methods

The workshops combined theoretical information with hands-on activities, using participatory methods and non-formal learning techniques. This approach had a significant impact on students, giving them essential tools to navigate the complex media landscape.

Impact of the E.P.I.C. project

Participating students gained valuable critical thinking skills, learning to tell the difference between accurate and false information. This project contributes to shaping well-informed, responsible citizens capable of facing the challenges of the modern digital world.

The future of media literacy in Romania

The initiative carried out in Dolj county’s high schools demonstrated that such workshops have a major impact. Expanding the project nationwide could be an important step in combating disinformation and promoting a well-informed society.