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4 clusters · 11 sources · 27 days · First seen · Last updated

Media literacy and journalism initiatives in Europe

Overview

Efforts to promote media literacy and professional journalism have emerged in Austria and Germany. In Austria, the “Medienführerschein” (Media Driver’s License) program, provided by FoMB Forum MedienBildung GmbH, is available to secondary schools through the Lernapps marketplace. The program covers data protection, social networks, artificial intelligence, and cyberbullying.

In Germany, youth-focused initiatives include the Salon5 newsroom in Chemnitz, operated by CORRECTIV, and the art-based “Diktat” project in Hamburg. Educational seminars also train instructors to address disinformation and influencer culture on platforms like YouTube and TikTok.

Building on these educational efforts, a broad coalition of German media organizations—including public broadcasters ARD and ZDF, private entities like RTL Deutschland and ProSiebenSat.1, and industry associations such as BDZV, VDL, MVFP, VAUNET, APR, and BVDA—launched a nationwide action week from September 14 to 19, 2026. Titled ‘Demokratie braucht viele Stimmen’ (Democracy needs many voices), the campaign coincided with the International Day of Democracy on September 15.

Following this campaign, the “Journalismus macht Schule” project has introduced free media education programs for schools in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Supported by a regional network including the German Journalists Association (DJV) Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Norddeutscher Rundfunk (NDR), and the Ministry of Education MV, the initiative provides workshops and newsroom visits. The project aims to teach students how news is produced, how to verify credibility, and how to identify fake news to empower them as participants in a democratic society.

Entities

ARD · ZDF · Katapult Verlag · Germany · Grafschafter Nachrichten

Timeline

  1. [CULTURE] 2 sources
    Journalismus macht Schule launches media literacy project

    The “Journalismus macht Schule” project provides free media literacy workshops and newsroom visits to schools in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern to promote democratic engagement.

  2. [CULTURE] 2 sources
    German media coalition launches nationwide action week

    German media outlets and associations are launching a nationwide action week from September 14–19 to promote journalism and media literacy as vital components of a functioning democracy.

  3. [CULTURE] 2 sources
    German media alliance launches journalism campaign

    German media organizations, including ARD and ZDF, will launch a nationwide campaign from September 14–19, 2026, to promote professional journalism and combat AI-driven disinformation.

  4. [CULTURE] 5 sources
    Media literacy initiatives expand for youth in Austria and Germany

    Educational programs in Austria and Germany are implementing new initiatives, such as media literacy certifications and youth newsrooms, to combat disinformation and improve digital competence.

Sources

bildungsserver.de · correctiv.org · film-tv-video.de · gn-online.de · hinzundkunzt.de · it-boltwise.de · keymedia.at · l-iz.de · michael-bickel.de · news4teachers.de · politik-mv.de

This summary has been updated 3 times: see revision history