Our "Fake News: Tackling Discrimination" project was driven by the need to combat misinformation, especially false portrayals in media regarding refugees, which undermine societal harmony. With rapid technological advances and the proliferation of mass communication tools, distinguishing between true and false information has become increasingly challenging. In the world, recent political and social events have eroded trust in media, highlighting the need for improved media literacy: Our objectives were to: *Raise awareness among youth, youth workers, and policymakers about media misrepresentations and increase media literacy. *Provide solutions for accessing accurate news and enhancing best practices in media consumption. *Empower participants with skills to use communication tools effectively for discerning accurate information. *Develop critical thinking to differentiate between factual and manipulated news.
We initiated the "Fake News: Tackling Discrimination" project in response to address the rise in misinformation and its impact on society. With the number of active social media users increasing rapidly, the spread of fake news significantly influenced public opinion, especially in political, economic, military, and cultural matters. The European Commission's report, 'Fake News and Disinformation Online,' highlighted that 85% of EU citizens viewed fake news as a threat to their country, and 73% were concerned about its influence on elections. Türkiye, in particular, was highly susceptible to misinformation campaigns, ranking low in media literacy according to reports by European Policies Initiative and Open Society Institute. This project aimed to enhance media literacy, especially among young people, equipping them with the skills to discern between real and manipulated news. Our approach included theoretical and practical education from experts, a comprehensive analysis of perception operations in social media, and resources to assist policymakers in combating misinformation.