The Power of Information Booklet

PROJECT HERMES BOOKLET

The

POWER OF INFORMATION A Collection of Published Stories on Disinformation, Digital Citizenship & Media Literacy

Rafaela L. Landikušić

About Rafaela L. Landikušić is a human rights advocate, writer, and activist. As a former Youth Ambassador for Youth Information at ERYICA - European Youth Information and Counselling Agency, a member of the Chatham House CFC project, and a participant in the Clinton Global Initiative University, she gained experience in various youthfocused initiatives, providing her with a deep understanding of social and global issues.

"The Power of Information" is a collection of three articles she authored. The first, titled "The Geopolitics of Disinformation and Cybersecurity in Europe", originally published on Global Voices in March 2022, has subsequently been translated into Spanish, Portuguese, and Romanian. It is a part of the Global Voices Advox project, dedicated to safeguarding freedom of expression online.

The second article, "Democracy in the Digital Age: Navigating the Intersection of Social Media and E-Participation", was published in May 2023 on Medium, and the third, blog post, "Fighting Fire with Facts: The Implications of Disinformation on Human Rights", was published on European Studies Review in June 2023.

This booklet is a part of "Project HERMES" - a social impact initiative supported by the Clinton Global Initiative University program, symbolising Rafaela's commitment to countering disinformation and advancing human rights through awareness and constructive discourse.

Author's Note In Greek mythology, Hermes, the messenger of the gods, played a pivotal role in communication and connection. His role as a mediator, conveying messages with accuracy and clarity, resonates deeply with the mission of Project HERMES. This initiative's genesis lies in the recognition of a pressing need in the modern world – to instill awareness about disinformation and misinformation, promote responsible digital citizenship, and elevate the crucial role of media and information literacy (MIL). The project's name, inspired by the ancient god of communication, embodies the essence of its mission: to equip young minds with the media and information literacy skills necessary to navigate the digital landscape in the information age.

However, the evolving nature of data and the challenge of distinguishing objective facts in the digital space can pose obstacles in MIL education.

Teaching MIL as a rigid set of interpretations runs the risk of subjectivity. Instead, we should focus on equipping individuals with critical thinking skills, empowering them to analyze information independently and draw their own conclusions.

Information holds immense power to shape our lives. It can form our decisions, beliefs, and influence our actions – whether it's in matters of health, education, or political participation. The timely dissemination of accurate information is crucial for fostering informed and engaged citizens, as well as for upholding the principles of democracy.

Conversely, the absence of reliable information, or the deliberate dissemination of misinformation, can have detrimental consequences for individuals and society as a whole.

In this context, the right to access accurate information at all times becomes crucial. It underpins every other human right, enabling individuals to make informed decisions and participate meaningfully in civil society. Information has the potential to empower individuals, but it can also be used as a tool for manipulation.

In alignment with that, this booklet titled “The Power of Information”, a component of Project HERMES comprises three articles published over a span of more than a year, united by common themes. Through these articles, readers can gain insights into the impact of information and the significance of critical thinking. The booklet does not prescribe specific MIL guidelines, instead inviting readers to discover the importance of critical thinking and the dangers of disinformation for themselves. This approach empowers individuals to navigate the information landscape with discernment and develop their perspectives freely.

The first article in this collection lays the groundwork for understanding the disinformation landscape, its connection to freedom of expression, and its profound impact, through reporting during the first month of the Ukrainian conflict.

The second article examines the significance of digital citizenship and edemocracy, highlighting their roles in strengthening democratic institutions and fostering a truthful digital ecosystem. It emphasizes the importance of active participation and informed decision-making in the digital age.

The third article focuses on the effects of disinformation techniques in the digital space, particularly among young individuals. It underscores the need for democracies to adapt to the dynamics of social media and proposes policy measures to combat disinformation.

These three articles embody the core values of Project HERMES enhancing critical thinking, promoting responsible digital citizenship, and advocating for human rights and e-democracy, thus contributing to a society that’s both informed and actively engaged.

Table of Contents Article

I:

The

Geopolitics

of

Disinformation

and

Cybersecurity in Europe.......................................................1 What is Disinformation?...........................................................................2 The Disinformation Front........................................................................2 The Cyber Front........................................................................................4 Disinformation and Freedom of Expression...........................................5

Article II: Democracy in the Digital Age: Navigating the Intersection of Social Media and E-Participation.................7 Introduction...............................................................................................7 The Concept of E-participation and the Digital Divide.......................8 The Impact of Social Media and Examples of Good Practices From Europe......................................................................................................10 Conclusion...............................................................................................14

Article III: Fighting Fire with Facts: The Implications of Disinformation on Human Rights......................................16 The Technological Impact Beyond the Screen - Overview..............16 Combating Disinformation in the Cyber Front - Policy Solutions & Actions......................................................................................................17 Conclusions: Addressing Disinformation Through Education and Regulation................................................................................................18

Summary..............................................................................20

This story originally appeared on Global Voices, on March 23, 2022.

The Geopolitics of Disinformation and Cybersecurity in Europe The free flow of information is a crucial tool to counter disinformation. This article explores the link between disinformation and cybersecurity that could lead to different effects on society, in relation to the current events in Russia and Ukraine.

When Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, nations across Europe rose to respond to the crisis, raising questions, not only about its consequences for the affected countries and beyond but also about various implications around disinformation and digital rights.

As technology has progressed rapidly over the years, resulting in a digital revolution, a number of security experts concluded that certain advancements could lead to “hybrid wars” in which cyberweapons and disinformation may become a type of weapon in psychological warfare around the globe. Similarly, the current pandemic has been accompanied by a so-called “infodemic” as well.

Therefore, it is crucial to understand the practices of information that influence our everyday lives, as an essential part of maintaining the world’s security and stability.

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What is disinformation?

Disinformation, also known as black propaganda, is the dissemination of misleading information that can undermine democratic trust, while posing a notable threat to many aspects, including security, without the target audience being aware of its influence. A strategic approach that critically understands the political context and the various ulterior motives is required to tackle disinformation. Some of the risks commonly associated with disinformation are massive false dilemmas, populist narratives, or public apathy.

It has been used throughout history, from Roman–Persian Wars (54 BCE — 628 CE), throughout WWII Nazi propaganda (when the term “big lie” was coined, describing a lie so colossal that no one would question it), to recent years in which the phenomenon became widespread with the rise of social media platforms and the controversial 2018 Cambridge Analytica case.

According to the updated 2021 EU Policy Department for External Relations Study on Disinformation and Propaganda, the best weapon against it is “critical media literacy.” This makes it a cybersecurity issue since social media platforms often serve as its primary amplifiers.

The disinformation front At present, the disinformation war continues in real time. According to TIME, the Kremlin ran a multi-method disinformation campaign while invading Ukraine to manipulate the public narrative.

Cindy Otis, a disinformation researcher and former CIA analyst interviewed by TIME, identifies one of the main tactics as disinformation in the battlefield that intimidates and demoralizes the Ukrainian military and civilian population.

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Russian propaganda has been especially widespread through Telegram, a popular messaging app that uses end-to-end encryption.

On February 26, Facebook, Apple, Twitter, and YouTube faced pressure over the war, which highlighted big tech’s difficulties to moderate content at scale. Facebook, Google, and Twitter removed user profiles that violated the guidelines by spreading disinformation, in addition to imposing other limitations, such as demonetization and prohibiting them from running ads.

As of March 4, Russian regulators banned Facebook and Twitter in response to their limitations on Russian state-owned media outlets, such as RT, stating that such restrictions violated the key principles of freedom of information. The Russian parliament also passed a law punishing the intentional spreading of “false information” about the military with fines and a jail term up to 15 years of prison.

Subsequently, several Western media outlets suspended reporting in Russia.

Meanwhile, Russia’s internet regulator Roskomnadzor's ban of Facebook and Instagram on March 14 resulted in a 2,000% rise in demand for VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) in Russia.

Meanwhile, Western countries continuously receive an immediate stream of information from a number of different sources, which may often create an information overload — inevitably, some of it is disinformation shared from one news outlet to another, either as deliberate media manipulation, or inadvertently.

ABC has one such example: First Draft’s Australian bureau editor Esther Chan pointed out a 2020 video supposedly showing warplanes over Ukraine that was shared an hour after Russian President Vladimir Putin’s declaration of war, but was not.

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Another viral post seemingly showing footage from battle turned out to be a clip from a video game. Croatian media outlet Index.hr had also recently issued an article debunking all false information they had mistakenly published about the war, so far.

The cyber front Experts claim that cyberattacks are a central part of modern warfare and quickly spread across the global economy through supply chains. Just before the military invasion, a group of Russian hackers carried out a series of cyberattacks targeting the Ukrainian government, banking, defense, and aviation websites, which affected the systems in Latvia and Lithuania that had particular connections with the Ukrainian government.

At the same time, hackers led by the Anonymous group declared cyberwar on Russia. Afterward, RT.com was declared to be under a DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attack, in which the target is flooded with traffic, thus disabling the normal workflow. The Kremlin and the State Duma websites were periodically disabled allegedly due to DDoS attacks as well.

Amid the Russia–Ukraine crisis, the ECB requested European banks across the eurozone to increase their cyber defenses, declaring that the issue should be a top priority in the midst of intensified geopolitical tensions, according to Reuters. The Wall Street Journal reported that the Russian cyberattacks on Ukraine could spread to other countries, following warnings issued by Western security officials, as did EUObserver.

In an effort to assist countries under cyberattack, the EU activated a Cyber Rapid Response Team consisting of 8–12 national cybersecurity officials of 6 European countries — Croatia, Estonia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, and Romania — which was deployed across Europe.

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On February 26, Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine’s deputy prime minister for digital transformation, announced on Twitter the creation of an IT army for defense and counterattacks, calling “digital talents” to join the resistance effort.

While long-term consequences are still difficult to assess, experts say they are more concerned with institutional than personal attacks, DW reports.

Disinformation and freedom of expression There is an ongoing dilemma around disinformation, censorship, and freedom of expression, particularly as governments introduce regulation of social media in the interest of addressing false information. Platform companies have their own moderation policies, which have sometimes drawn criticism of restricting legitimate speech. While governments can take a direct role in promoting transparent content moderation online, there’s also a risk that some governments may label critical content as disinformation, thus limiting free speech.

In the report “Disinformation and Freedom of Opinion and Expression,” Irene Khan, UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression, examined these threats in the context of disinformation: “…the free flow of information is a critical element of freedom of expression and places a positive obligation on States to proactively put information of public interest in the public domain, and promote plural and diverse sources of information, including media freedom. It can be a valuable tool for countering disinformation.”

The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (ECHR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) enshrine the right to freedom of expression.

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Freedom of expression may be restricted in accordance with Article 10 of the ECHR and Article 19 of the ICCPR which require all restrictions to be provided for by law and to be necessary for the legitimate aim of respecting the rights and reputations of others and to protect national security, public order, or public health or morals.

At the EU level, given that disinformation and misinformation represent an evolving threat, there are many initiatives against them highlighting, among other things, the need for cooperation, factchecking, and building societal resilience and credible sources of information, especially in cyberspace.

Evidently, the rise of new technologies is heavily impacting aspects of modern-day life — the extent of this crisis still remains an open question. In the midst of the rapid growth of online information and disinformation, it’s important to foster a quality societal dialogue that aims to connect individuals, rather than isolate them from each other.

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This story originally appeared on Medium, on May 4, 2023.

Democracy in the Digital Age: Navigating the Intersection of Social Media and EParticipation Exploring the potential of social media for enhancing eparticipation and the urgent need to address the digital divide in the quest for stronger democracy in the digital age.

Introduction The exponential development of new technologies and the omnipresence of social media, as a popular form of digital technology, has recently led to a revolution in the way we communicate and exchange information worldwide. The increased use of social media has also led to the creation of new forms of citizen participation in civil life, known as e-participation. Social media can enable citizens to become informed about issues that interest them, mobilize for a common goal, actively engage in democratic and political processes, express their views and opinions, and participate in decision-making at the national, regional, and local levels. Additionally, it allows political candidates, parties, and public authorities to reach out to citizens and communicate with them in a new, open, and dynamic way.

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However, at the same time, the use of new technologies can impact the digital divide, or differences in access to and use of technology among different social groups, which can lead to inequalities in participation and thus impact the legitimacy of political decisions.

Furthermore, a negative aspect is the creation of a so-called filter bubble and echo chambers effect, or polarization of the public and filtering of information in such a way that individuals group and consume information only from certain sources, which can lead to the creation of extreme views, hindering constructive discourse and decisionmaking that would satisfy the needs of all social groups.

Therefore, it is necessary to consider the impact of social media on eparticipation and the digital divide, taking into account the positive and negative aspects of their use, and ultimately the ways in which individuals can exercise their digital rights and become responsible citizens in the digital sphere, which will increase citizens’ trust in democratic institutions and processes.

The concept of e-participation and the digital divide E-participation refers to the right to participate in collective decisionmaking, or the involvement of the public in various processes of shaping public policies and decision-making, as well as encouraging active citizen participation in democratic processes through information and communication technology (ICT). E-participation instruments are numerous and may include the use of online platforms and tools for public discussion, voting, monitoring, and evaluation of political processes, such as various e-forums, e-voting, e-referendums, e-petitions, etc., while e-consultations are one of the most common mechanisms for citizen involvement and in most countries where citizen consultation is required by law or constitution, they become an imperative.

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Some of the advantages of online participation include the possibility of interaction with a large number of citizens, transparency of policy and decision-making, facilitated access for certain citizens, and long-term reduction of costs for citizens and administration, while the main challenges often include, in addition to security and technical problems, the problem of the digital divide and citizen apathy.

The concept broader than e-participation is e-democracy, which involves the use of ICT by various stakeholders, such as governments and administrations, media, political parties, interest groups, and individual citizens, and signifies the development of democratic policy through communication channels, internet platforms, and social media.

This includes the application of ICT to improve transparency, inclusiveness, and accountability, as well as the creation of new forms of political participation and dialogue between citizens and institutions. In this sense, e-participation and e-democracy are closely interconnected and e-participation can be considered an integral part of e-democracy since they represent key elements in building more open political and administrative systems that enable active citizen participation through ICT and ensure that their opinions are taken into account in decisionmaking.

On the other hand, a particular problem in citizen e-participation is the so-called digital divide or digital gap. The digital divide refers to inequalities in access to technology and digital resources between different social groups and individuals, both at the global level and within individual countries. There are two aspects to the digital divide: on the one hand, it relates to different possibilities for accessing the Internet, which is associated with socioeconomic development and technological infrastructure, and on the other hand, it relates to different possibilities for using the Internet, which is primarily linked to educational status, motivation, and trust in digital media and technology, particularly regarding privacy and security.

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According to Norris, there are three types of the digital divide: global, which concerns the different possibilities for accessing and using the internet between developed and developing countries, social, which denotes the gap between those who have access to the internet and those who do not, and democratic, which distinguishes those who use the internet to participate in public life from those who do not.

From a social divide perspective, digital exclusion can occur as a process in which certain individuals are systematically excluded from full participation in society and other processes, especially as a result of discrimination or due to their poverty, lack of opportunities for lifelong learning, etc. Similarly, certain countries, regions, cities, and neighborhoods can be digitally excluded.

Due to the digital divide, there has been increasing advocacy for einclusion and establishing citizens’ rights in the information society, with the goal of achieving universal access to ICT so that all citizens can exercise their rights and fully participate in the information society. The European Charter of Rights of Citizens in the Knowledge Society, among other things, promotes access to the Internet and information regardless of difficulties, security and privacy, the right to participate in decision-making through online platforms, and the administration’s response to all types of online consultations, while the UN Resolution on Human Rights on the Internet advocates freedom of expression on the Internet, the development of digital literacy, transparency, participation in civil life, privacy protection, and also emphasizes that all the rights that citizens enjoy offline should be enjoyed online as well.

The impact of social media and examples of good practices from Europe From the perspective of the digital divide, social media has a significant impact.

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Social media can be utilized to organize various online campaigns and primarily encourage citizens to participate in decision-making processes. For example, civil society organizations can use social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok to inform citizens about a particular initiative, stimulate discussion, or initiate an e-petition. Furthermore, government institutions can monitor social media to gather information about what citizens think about a particular topic. For instance, public officials can track hashtags or keywords on Twitter to gain insight into what citizens think about a new policy. Similarly, in order to use social media as a platform for open discussion, the city administration can organize a Twitter discussion in which citizens ask questions or express their opinions.

Additionally, social media can be used to collect feedback from citizens about specific projects or initiatives through online surveys and to monitor the implementation of decisions, report on progress, or the implementation of specific programs.

In that sense, there are different levels of electronic tools for participation. At the lowest level, there is a one-way process of electronically mediated information that does not require active participation from citizens. At a higher level, simple tools for participating in consultations are offered, i.e. collecting opinions on decisions. The next level is even higher, where interested parties can provide electronic tools for initiating initiatives, the outcome of which can be advisory or binding. At the highest level, electronic voting (evoting) takes place in the most direct way, allowing citizens to directly accept or reject a proposed decision.

In Croatia, similar e-tools include the platform “Imamopravoznati.org (We have a right to know)”, which allows citizens to submit requests for access to information, and “e-Savjetovanja (e-Consultations)”, an application that enables interested parties to view open consultations and actively participate in them.

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It is estimated that Croatia has made progress on the E-Participation Index (EPI) ranking list, which the UN uses to assess the use of ICT for citizen participation, due to the introduction of the e-Consultations portal. Currently, Croatia is ranked 29th in the world on the EPI list.

At the European level, there are numerous platforms and tools through which citizen e-participation can be achieved in different countries, such as: CitizenLab: a Belgian e-participation platform used in many cities and municipalities throughout Europe. It allows citizens to propose ideas, participate in discussions, and provide feedback on urban projects.

CONSUL: an online platform for public participation in decisionmaking, launched by the Madrid City Council and later adopted by several governments worldwide. Its main principles are open participation, transparency, a combination of online and offline participation, and citizen empowerment.

Decide Madrid: an e-participation platform used by the city of Madrid in Spain, allowing citizens to propose ideas, participate in discussions, and vote on important issues in the city.

Your Say: an e-participation platform used by the European Commission, allowing citizens to provide feedback on EU policies and initiatives. e-Petitions: a British e-participation platform that enables citizens to launch petitions on important issues and propose legislative initiatives.

Your Priorities: an open-source social networking platform for generating ideas, deliberation, and decision-making that has connected governments and citizens in thousands of projects since 2008.

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Decidim: a digital citizen participation platform currently used by cities and organizations around the world, and also available for use by NGOs, universities, associations, unions, etc.

CitizenOS: a free and secure open-source platform for civic initiatives used by Estonia.

In 2022, former US President Barack Obama confirmed the significant impact of traditional social media on citizen participation, particularly among young people who are the primary users of digital platforms.

His statement, made during a speech at Stanford University, underscores the crucial role of these platforms in shaping modern-day discourse and civic engagement: “I might never have been elected president if it hadn’t been for websites like MySpace, MeetUp, and Facebook who allowed an army of young volunteers to organize, raise money, spread our message. That’s what elected me.”

However, although social media can be useful in connecting people, increasing awareness of social issues, and contributing to citizen participation and overall transparency, it can also have negative effects on e-participation and deepen the digital divide, as some social groups do not have access to online platforms and tools crucial for eparticipation or do not possess sufficient skills and motivation.

Therefore, it is necessary to take this into account and ensure that all citizens have equal opportunities to actively engage in the political life of their communities.

In the current digital landscape, the obstacles to e-participation go beyond the aforementioned filter bubble effect and privacy risks, as disinformation and misinformation continue to spread. These issues are compounded by the vast amounts of information from sources that lack credibility, including hate speech and other content that reinforces harmful stereotypes and prejudices.

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The Cambridge Analytica scandal of 2016 is a well-known example of how personal data from Facebook users was used without consent for political advertising and to sway young voters in Trinidad and Tobago. To foster a more ethical digital environment that encourages informed and constructive engagement, it’s crucial that we address these challenges and prioritize the responsible use of social media platforms.

In addition, linguistic or cultural barriers that make it difficult to access online platforms can limit the participation of certain groups in eparticipation, thus it is important to ensure that e-participation is inclusive and does not discriminate against certain groups, such as by providing access to broadband internet in rural and underdeveloped areas and implementing different language options and culturally sensitive design of online platforms for e-participation, including combating stereotypes and online abuse that can lead to reduced participation and use of digital technology by victims of cyberbullying.

Conclusion While social media has the potential to be a powerful tool in promoting e-participation, it also has the potential to undermine democratic processes through the spread of disinformation, fake news, and other manipulative tactics. In order to protect human rights in the digital world, it is important to encourage diversity of opinions and perspectives in political discussions on social media and other platforms and to continuously work on reducing both aspects of the digital divide.

As we move further into the digital age, it is vital that we recognize the importance of information and media literacy. Countries like Finland have already taken steps to educate their young citizens on how to navigate digital spheres effectively, and it’s time for the rest of the world to follow suit.

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We must view social media as a tool for active participation in society, rather than a platform for spreading disinformation and manipulation.

It’s critical that we prioritize the use of reliable and secure platforms for e-participation and educate citizens on how to engage in constructive dialogue, collaboration, and decision-making. By doing so, we can strengthen digital citizenship and ultimately bolster democracy in the digital age.

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This story originally appeared on European Studies Review, on June 16, 2023.

Fighting Fire with Facts: The Implications of Disinformation on Human Rights The technological impact beyond the screen - overview Certain technological advancements are transforming conflict, leading to “hybrid wars” in which various techniques may be used to influence human behaviour, thus highly impacting youth on a global level, as the frequent users of digital tools.

Such techniques often include the use of AI technologies in different kinds of cyber attacks, and cyber surveillance, but also cyber propaganda as a form of psychological warfare to control information, particularly through social media platforms and other digital means.

Therefore, it is essential to protect human rights in a digital world, as social media has the potential to disrupt democracy through misinformation, disinformation, hate speech, and other tactics; all leading to a lack of trust between young people and democratic institutions or civil societies.

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In that sense, young people could also experience confusion from a lack of reliable information sources, which may alter their views on a specific issue and affect their actions accordingly.

Other challenges may encompass concerns related to the overall wellbeing of youths, often precipitating in violence between communities and online harassment, consequently generating further social harm.

Combating disinformation in the cyber front — policy solutions & actions In order to combat disinformation on the cyber front, several possible solutions can be considered. Democracies should adapt to social media & AI by reinforcing normative policies and legal frameworks and by encouraging responsible behaviour by social media platforms.

Additionally, enhancing the understanding of the potential risks associated with cyber conflicts to the broader public, supporting independent journalism, developing and promoting media literacy programs, and promoting international cooperation by sharing best practices and coordinating responses are crucial steps.

In the context of Big Tech and rapid technological progress in the AI and the metaverse, the spread of misinformation and disinformation has become a concern. Companies such as Meta and Twitter have emerged as the de facto public squares in many countries. To address this, governments should implement comprehensive legislation and adopt alternative approaches for regulating these platforms.

In recent years, it has become increasingly evident that several radical organisations, ranging from the QAnon movement to rebel groups in Syria, have taken advantage of social media platforms to spread their propaganda.

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Additionally, the notorious case of Cambridge Analytica and how they influenced youth in Trinidad and Tobago to increase political apathy is a well-known example of extreme online manipulation.

At the time of writing this article, as the Washington Post published, Russia’s disinformation efforts are helped by Twitter users’ newfound ability to buy a blue checkmark. According to certain surveys, it is also crucial for policymakers and politicians to anticipate, monitor changes, and consider these threats mentioned above while enacting new regulations, especially in developing countries that are ranked as the most vulnerable to disinformation.

As stated by All Tech is Human, “The future of technology is intertwined with the future of democracy and the human condition”. Hence, we must involve and inform the public more. Finland has already taken steps in this direction by teaching primary school students about media literacy and how to identify misinformation. Other countries should follow Finland’s lead and learn from its success.

Moreover, various organisations, civic associations, and youth workers can employ diverse methods to educate and mentor young people. For instance, they can utilise an interactive game developed by scientists at Cambridge University known as “Get Bad News,” which provides insight into the process of misinformation-spreading in a humorous and engaging way that would undoubtedly enhance young people’s understanding of the issue.

Conclusions: addressing education and regulation

disinformation

through

Combating disinformation requires a multi-faceted approach that involves adapting to the changing technological landscape and reinforcing legal frameworks, as well as enhancing public awareness and education.

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By implementing the aforementioned solutions and prioritising education on digital literacy, we can increase critical thinking skills and empower individuals to navigate the digital sphere responsibly, while safeguarding their human rights. In this manner, we can foster a more resilient society and secure the integrity of public discourse which is the very essence of our democratic processes.

The future of democracy will be decided online. Open societies can only survive, if individuals enjoy the same protection in digital spaces as in the analogue world. — Alfred Landecker Foundation

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Summary This booklet, "The Power of Information," explores the interconnectedness of critical thinking, media literacy, and digital citizenship, highlighting their crucial role in combating disinformation and fostering a well-informed society. In an era where information is a powerful force, the ability to navigate, analyze, and engage responsibly in the digital space is not just a skill but a cornerstone for building a resilient society.

In today's digital age, simply consuming information is no longer sufficient; we must actively engage with it, predict its potential impact, and make informed choices based on evidence. The application of critical thinking skills, including Socratic questioning, and awareness of cognitive and author biases, along with other strategic thinking tools, can be utilized for this purpose.

In essence, this booklet serves as a call to action - it invites individuals to embark on a journey of independent thought, learning, and exploration. This approach is not about imposing a set of rules or formulas; it's about inspiring individuals to develop their own critical thinking skills, an analytical mindset, and become active participants in the global conversation.

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This booklet is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Created in December 2023, in Zagreb, Croatia.