Panel Discussion: Strategies against migration-related disinformation

The EU-Office of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) in Brussels, the Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS) and the FES Berlin invite you to our panel discussion "Strategies against migration-related disinformation: competence, resilience, foresight" on Friday, 21 October. It will take place from 16:00 to 19:00 in the office of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung in Berlin, Germany (Hiroshimastraße 28, 10785 Berlin).

Fears are amplified and perceptions distorted

Disinformation shapes perceptions, misleads public opinion, and distorts political discourse. Fake news and manipulative content about migrants and refugees are particularly widespread. To further divide society, such fake news often targets people's concerns and emotions, their values and beliefs. As a result, fears are amplified and perceptions distorted. Moreover, fake news usually spread faster than facts, so that after salient events, it is not facts but often disinformation and divisive narratives that dominate the discourse. This can become a danger to the cohesion of society and democracy itself.

But how to counter disinformation campaigns and fake news effectively? To this end, the Brussels-based think tank European Policy Centre (EPC) will present its recent findings and recommendations of the FES and FEPS founded multiannual research project "Disinformation about Migration". Afterwards, we will discuss it with a panel of experts and the audience. The aim is to bring together representatives from politics, academia, journalism and civil society to exchange about new and progressive strategies in the fight against disinformation. This could render our joint efforts more impactful.

Programme: 

16:00 Welcome remarks by Tobias Schmitt, Policy Officer at the FES EU Office

16:15 Presentation of the findings and policy recommendations of the research project “Disinformation about Migration” by Alberto Neidhardt, Policy Analyst at the EPC

16:30 Panel discussion with: 

• Cristina Helberg, Freelance journalist, fact checker and trainer for research and verification
• Helena Schwertheim, Senior Digital Policy and Research Manager & Head of the Digital Policy Lab (DPL), ISD Germany
• Helge Lindh, Member of the Bundestag
• Uschi Jonas, Deputy Head of CORRECTIV.Faktencheck

Moderation by Cosima Schmitt, Journalist and author for the German weekly newspaper Die Zeit

17:50 Wrap-up by Hedwig Giusto, Senior Research Fellow at the FEPS and Editor-in-Chief of the Progressive Post

18:00 - 19:00 Reception with drinks and snacks

Venue address: Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, Hiroshimastraße 28, 10785 Berlin, Germany. 

The event will be held in German and English. Interpretation into both languages will be provided.

Due to a limited number of participants, we kindly ask you to register for the event early here.

For questions, please contact Tobias.Schmitt(at)fes.de