Kacper Zieleniak, 24, is a journalism graduate working in the media sector in Poznań, Poland. This year, he joined young people from Poland, Romania, Bulgaria and Cyprus at the International Media Literacy Conference. The programme focused on tackling gendered misinformation and promoting inclusive communication.
‘We participated in workshops connected to fact-checking. I learned how to look for useful clues while dealing with various statements, claims and graphic materials. We also shared our experiences – it was stimulating to listen to cases from different countries.’
For Kacper, the issue has far-reaching consequences. ‘The topic of gendered disinformation is crucial because it affects everyone, not only women or transgender people. Gender inequality is still a massive issue worldwide, and unfortunately, the media doesn’t necessarily help in getting rid of harmful stereotypes or prejudice. Staying silent when someone lies and defames others encourages more of such behaviours. Educating people and actively opposing misinformation and hate speech makes a difference – even if we don’t see the results right away.’
He encourages others to take part in similar initiatives: ‘Step out of your comfort zone and engage with people from different backgrounds. In the age of artificial intelligence, fake news and rising authoritarianism, it’s crucial to stay alert and defend values like inclusivity, tolerance, democracy and access to knowledge.’