M100 YEJ: Dealing with Fake News and Disinformation

25 March 2022. “Journalistic Impartiality in Times of War – Dealing with Fake News and Disinformation” is the topic of this year’s M100 Young European Journalists Workshop (M100YEJ), which will take place from 10 to 15 September in Potsdam and Berlin.

Fake news has an impact on our society, our politics, our economy, on democracy, freedom of expression and freedom of the press, and on our security.

Russia’s attack on Ukraine, which was prepared long in advance by the Russian side through targeted false information and also plays a major role in the war, shows this in a particularly drastic way. Here, parallel to the military war with all its suffering and horror, a bitter information war is also being waged, a war of images, emotions, interpretive sovereignty and truth.

At this year’s M100YEJ, which is once again taking place with the support of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation, we will explore the question of how Ukrainians fight Russian fake news, whether they themselves also use fake news and disinformation, how journalists deal with information in wartime and how such a situation, in which it is difficult to remain neutral, affects journalism. We will also be addressing the question of how to maintain independent journalism in times of war. At the end of the workshop, the results will be summarised and presented at the M100 Sanssouci Colloquium.

Further information and a call for applications will follow shortly.

M100 gave me the inspiration to think outside the box of things I routinely do for my work. This experience was very much about connecting the dots, showing new opportunities and pushing me to explore new ways of looking at familiar things Kirill, 26, Russia
The M100YEJ was such a wonderful experience for me because it gave me the opportunity to meet great people, great friends with different backgrounds and ideas and I learned a lot from the journalistic work around the world and how journalism could be so different regarding the country Ekaterini Kolorizos, 22, Greece
The M100 Workshop helped me to find out what else I can do for my country when it comes to the Journalism. This program gave me an ability to enhance my knowledge and to see in which topic I need to improve my skills. Meeting with other participants was really good for understanding the situation in which journalists have to work in their countries. All those things mentioned motivate me to continue my work here in Georgia and to make more people interested in similar topics. Irakli Iagorashvili, 19, Georgia
It has definitely been one of the best international experiences that I’ve been part of so far. The M100 Colloquium has given me a new perspective on the field and some good insight into the journalistic work. I feel motivated and empowered to apply the freshly acquired knowledge and grow as a person and a journalist. Mihaela Gilca, 23, Moldova
M100 for me was a revelation. A breath of fresh air in the midst of this unhealthy environment in which we are living. Live a few days with young journalists from different countries and perceive in their eyes and in their words the passion for this job and the determination to express always their thoughts aloud was a great inspiration. Matias Gadaleta, 24, Italy
I was very passionate and excited while I learned I would be part of the M100YEJ workshop. It was a great opportunity for me to build a stronger network with other participants of the workshop who share the similar purposes and targets. I am very happy that now I am part of this amazing network. This workshop has given me a positive impact and useful knowledge which will be helpful in my future career. I want to thank M100 that gave me this opportunity to be part of this workshop which is very useful for my professional development. Nurana Musazade, 28, Azerbaijan
“The M100 not only gave me the opportunity to acquire some important extra skills in important fields such as fact checking, but it also provided me with an international network of young people with the same journalistic aspirations as I have. As a good network is one of the most important things a journalist can have, this contribution of the M100 is really priceless for me.” Niels Timmermanns, 24, Belgium
I had an exquisite chance to meet people from different backgrounds, who inspired me with their thinking manners, creativity, enthusiasm and directness. I did not only make new contacts and friends, but I also gained a whole new perspective on modern journalism. Whether you are a newbie who recently took the pen with an immense wish to write or someone with hundreds of articles behind – M100 Youth Media Workshop is a journey worth taking! Mila Damyanoska, Macedonia (2011)
One of the best experiences I have had so far. Anna Saraste, Finland (2012)
The workshop four years ago provided me with many interesting insights into investigative journalism and brought me into contact with so many fantastic people,” he says. “M100 strengthened my desire to work internationally and in an investigative way. And I am still in touch today with many of the participants and instructors from that time. Daniel Drepper, Germany (2010)
I have to say it was brilliant: brilliant in the sense that we achieved a great result. It led to a conclusion that came from a discussion and the hard work of 20 people coming from all over Europe that shared their points of views. And that was really wonderful. Karol Pawlowicki, Poland (2013)
The M100 workshop in Potsdam was a great professional experience. In the next years I longed for a similar opportunity for informal learning, hands-on journalistic practice and the opportunity for deep discussions. Still, it was nearly impossible to find an equivalent experience, the 2009 M100 workshop was truly unique and I remember it now as an important moment of professional empowerment. M100 is a network, it is our network. Brindusa Luciana Grosu, Romania (2009)
After participating in the 2013 edition of the M100 Young European Journalists Workshop many of us felt that the potential gathered in the workshop should not go to waste. We stay in touch, learn of each other’s achievements and congratulate for them. Networking, collaboration and camaraderie are crucial assets in journalism; something that M100 helped me realize. Now, when Lucian and I tell the story of our collaboration we always begin by saying: It all started in M100... Albert Guasch Rafael, Spain (2013)
Die Zukunft, über die wir damals gesprochen haben, ist nun da und ich weiß nicht, ob sie so ist, wie wir uns damals dachten, aber jedes Mal, wenn ich Neuigkeiten von meinen M100 Mitstreitern über Facebook erhalte, möchte ich diese fünf Tage wieder erleben, und nicht nur, weil ich damals sechs Jahre jünger war. Das Wetter vermisse ich allerdings nicht. Szilvia Mohai, Ungarn (2008)

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