As part of the Erasmus+ project InfoReady, VUB hosted the international seminar “Unmasking Misinformation – Fake News” in Brussels on April 4th, 2025. The event brought together leading experts, educators, and digital media enthusiasts for a full day of insightful talks, hands-on learning, and dynamic discussions on how to combat the spread of fake news and enhance media literacy across Europe. The seminar also welcomed active participation from InfoReady project partners across Europe, including Eurospeak (Ireland), RESET (Cyprus), Project School (Italy), Forum Educativo (Spain), and CulturePolis (Greece)—contributing diverse perspectives and sharing best practices from their respective countries.
Welcome and Keynote Session
The event began with an inspiring welcome by Prof. Dr. Koen Putman, Dean of the Faculty of Life Sciences at Vrije Universiteit Brussels, and Benjamin Dalle, Senator and former Flemish Minister for Brussels, Youth, and Media.
This was followed by a powerful keynote address from Valérie Deridder (Knack) titled “A Digital World Without Fact-checking: Who Knows the Truth?”, where she explored the consequences of unchecked disinformation and emphasized the critical role of journalism in upholding truth in the digital age.
Session 1: Innovative Methods for Analysing and Evaluating Online Disinformation
- Katrien Vanlerberghe (Crime & Society Research Group) exposed how extremist groups manipulate narratives through “neutralisation techniques,” distorting truth to justify violence and propagate hate.
- Dr. Andrew McIntyre (University of Amsterdam, SOLARIS Project) showcased how generative AI and deepfakes are increasingly weaponized to polarize political discourse and threaten democratic processes.
Session 2: Strengthening Critical Thinking and Media Literacy
- Pablo Trigo Kramcsák introduced the FERMI project, tackling disinformation from legal, ethical, and cybersecurity perspectives, informed by his background in governance and AI.
- Prof. Dr. Maarten Moens (STIMULUS) highlighted the serious consequences of medical misinformation, especially in the context of chronic pain research and public health trust.
Erasmus+ Project Showcase
The final segment of the seminar spotlighted innovative educational tools and policy frameworks developed across Erasmus+ projects, emphasizing collaborative responses to disinformation.
Networking & Closing
The day concluded with a networking reception, giving participants the chance to connect, exchange ideas, and build partnerships for a more digitally resilient and media-literate Europe.
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