Students from Six Regions of the Country Participated in the 'Filter Information' Camp

During August 17 - 21, 2015, the Center for Independent Journalism and Internews organized the media literacy camp 'Filter Information', attended by 28 students aged between 14 and 19 and 6 accompanying teachers from Balti, Soroca, Vulcanesti, Mereni (Anenii Noi District), Stefanesti (Floresti District) and Colibasi (Cahul District).

The camp moderator was the Director of the School of Advanced Journalism, Sorina Stefirta. The participants learned to distinguish between objective and manipulative news; they learned why and how the media can misinform the audience, and how one can become a responsible media consumer.

The students learned how to write news based on impartial and independent sources of information by attending a news writing workshop led by Diana Railean, Radio Free Europe reporter. Other experts also joined the 'Filter Information' Camp. Viorica Mesina and Viorel Mardare, directors at Atelier Sergiu Prodan, spoke about producing the social vide spot 'Filter Information' and its relevance in the context of today's society that is prone to the risk of misinformation. Alina Turcan, RFE editor, spoke about false news in the media, particularly about misleading headlines. Petru Macovei, the Executive Director of the Independent Press Association, spoke about false news and manipulative media, both in Moldova and abroad, in the context of the informational war in Ukraine. Alina Radu, Director of the newspaper Ziarul de Garda, explained why media education should be the social mission of young people; she also talked about the risk of misinformation on social networks.

The participants appreciated the usefulness of the camp and the importance of the topic.
'Due to the camp, I realized that media education is essential to our society and, as a participant, I feel that it is my duty to pass on this message,' said Catalina Sorocean, a student from the city of Balti.
'The discussions with journalists and media experts gave me the opportunity to find out what is happening in the background and helped me learn to distinguish between false and accurate news; I also learned how to write a good story in the future,' said Dumitrita Toderica, a student from the village of Stefanesti in Floresti District.

The 'Filter Information' Media Education Camp was organized under the Project on Strengthening Independence in Communication Media in Moldova, implemented by the Centre for Independent Journalism jointly with Internews. The project is financed by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor of the US State Department.