This interview is part of the ”Digital Media Literacy in EDMO Round Table’‘ interview series that is published every month to highlight the work of the 14 EDMO hubs.
BENEDMO, Flemish-Dutch collaboration against disinformation, by and for fact-checkers, media professionals, scientists and other experts.
Authors: Anne Bothmer (The Netherlands Institute for Sound & Vision) and Zara Mommerency (Mediawijs – Flemish Knowledge Centre for Digital and Media Literacy)
Can you give us an update on your media literacy activities since our last interview?
In collaboration with EDMO Belux, BENEDMO mapped interventions designed to enhance media literacy and build resilience to disinformation for a broad audience. Media literacy professionals from the Netherlands and Flanders evaluated these interventions and made a selection of 23 media literacy interventons. They concluded that the resources provide an in-depth approach to disinformation and are easily adaptable for teachers and facilitators working in media literacy.
With the report ‘Resilient to disinformation’, BENEDMO examined these interventions, assessed their alignment with societal needs, and offered recommendations to bolster media literacy and resilience to disinformation. Recommendations from this report aim to strengthen the existing materials and guide future developments in media literacy initiatives, benefiting both the BENEDMO consortium and external stakeholders. One key recommendation is to identify the needs of vulnerable groups and develop specific policies to improve their resilience.
For secondary education, BENEDMO has refined and updated a class programme on journalism and disinformation consisting of four lessons. These lessons were designed to help students gain essential skills and knowledge that make them more resilient to mis- and disinformation. The four lessons are available in Dutch and the first lesson is available in English. By the end of 2024, the other three lessons will be uploaded in English.
Together with external and consortium partners, BENEDMO created two pop-up exhibitions in Sound & Vision’s media museum for a broad audience, raising attention to the national elections in the Netherlands (2023) and the European Parliament elections (2024). Both installations highlight the role of (mis)information during election periods and its impact on people’s opinions and voting decisions.
It’s worth mentioning that the composition of partners involved in BENEDMO’s media literacy activities has changed. Mediawijs, formerly part of EDMO Belux, is now a full partner of BENEDMO. Additionally, VRT, the Netherlands Institute for Sound & Vision, and Netwerk Mediawijsheid are contributing partners in BENEDMO’s media literacy efforts.
What exactly is planned as part of BENEDMO 2.0?
By the end of 2026, BENEDMO will launch ten media literacy campaigns to address the needs of both the general public and vulnerable groups, covering topics such as disinformation, the importance of journalism, and the influence of AI on media.
Already by November ‘24, VRT, together with Mediawijs and NISV, had to update the EDUbox Fake news and the EDUbox AI to encompass current phenomena like generative AI and current forms of disinformation. They are now available in Dutch on the EDUbox website! Later, by November ’25, VRT will recontextualise these EDUboxes to the educational context and programmes in The Netherlands by November ‘25.
Next to that, Mediawijs will run their yearly Nieuws in de Klas campaigns on news, journalism, fact-checking and democratic societal engagement for Dutch-speaking secondary education in Flanders and Brussels. They want to foster the growth of the reach of this campaign in secondary schools, evaluate and update the materials and expand the campaign to integrate primary schools with tailored materials. Meanwhile, NISV will provide regular news literacy workshop programmes targeted at formal education in The Netherlands (primary, secondary and higher education). The workshop programmes will be enriched with up to date news literacy material and BENEDMO research results will be integrated. Additionally NISV will provide knowledge and guidance for professionals in civil society to facilitate them in dialogue around polarising topics.
Additionally, all together, we want to identify the gaps in educational resources on disinformation and AI for vulnerable groups (and their stakeholders). In the fall of 2024, we organized BENEDMO labs with stakeholders who work with people with low literacy skills, to gather their insights. The outcomes of the labs in the Netherlands and Flanders will later be incorporated into a publication shared with external stakeholders. This will be done through channels such as those of the Dutch Media Literacy Network, which consists of more than 1000 organizations within the media literacy field. The next step will be to use these insights gathered to develop and tailor educational materials specifically for this audience. Our goal is to equip society – especially those most vulnerable to disinformation – with the tools and knowledge to make informed decisions, empowering them to actively participate in public discourse and society.
Finally, knowledge exchange between Flanders and the Netherlands, as well as among media literacy professionals, is a core part of our plans for the next two years. This exchange will help us strengthen our resources, gain valuable insights, foster innovation, improve collaboration, and connect key players in the field. To wrap up, we will host a summit at the end of 2026 to bring together key findings, stakeholders, and materials developed throughout this project.
How do you define what constitutes an effective media literacy initiative in your context?
An effective media literacy initiative aimed at building resilience against disinformation must address multiple dimensions to achieve meaningful impact. A fundamental starting point is restoring and strengthening trust in media and journalism. This trust serves as the foundation for recognising reliable information in a world where skepticism toward media is increasingly prevalent.
Providing insights into how reliable news is produced plays a crucial role in this process. When people understand journalistic processes and the principles behind them, they become better equipped to distinguish trustworthy information from disinformation. Learning to critically assess (news) sources is therefore a key aspect of media literacy.
Moreover, it is essential that media literacy initiatives align with the realities of the target audience’s lives. By working from their perspective and co-developing programs with them and the professional staff with whom they collaborate, these initiatives become more relatable and relevant. This requires a participatory and evidence-based approach: not developing for people, but with them.
A strong initiative also highlights the opportunities media provide, in addition to addressing their risks. People should feel empowered to use media in positive and constructive ways, rather than feeling overwhelmed or discouraged by the challenge of combating disinformation. Striking this balance is crucial to achieving long-term impact.
These principles align with the EDMO Guidelines for Effective Media Literacy Initiatives, which emphasise the importance of trust, relevance, collaboration, and empowerment.
Which groups do you target most often with your media literacy initiatives? (e.g. teachers, librarians, journalists, youth workers, young people, older people) What is the motivation for targeting these groups, and how do you reach them?
The Netherlands Institute for Sound & Vision, Mediawijs and VRT offer educational programs for various audiences. For students in primary and secondary education, we provide resources directly in the classroom (such as De Schaal van M for primary schools and Nieuws in de Klas and EDUbox for secondary students). For teachers, Mediawijs and Sound & Vision offer training programs and courses about media literacy and citizenship. College students, in the Netherlands particularly those in applied sciences (HBO), in Belgium both applied sciences and educational masters also benefit from media literacy materials.
For professionals in civil society – such as police, youth workers, welfare and healthcare workers – Sound & Vision and Mediawijs offer workshops, training sessions, and lectures. In partnership with libraries, Sound & Vision organises workshops and training sessions on digital citizenship and news literacy, which are integrated into the professional development programs of the KB (Royal Library in the Netherlands). In Belgium, Mediawijs has its Mediacoach program: a comprehensive training scheme designed for professionals in sectors such as education, youth work, and libraries. It focuses on enhancing digital and media literacy within organisations. Participants are trained to act as key contacts for digital media and develop strategies to promote media literacy among colleagues and target groups. Mediawijs also had different projects and programs for elderly people to reduce digital exclusion and help seniors navigate the digital world independently.
Furthermore, Sound & Vision also involves journalists in fostering a media-literate society. For instance, in past workshops on verification techniques and disinformation, local and emerging journalists not only learned practical skills but also reflected on their role in enhancing media literacy and explored ways to contribute to it in their work.
Additionally, VRT develops informational and educational content for adults on their news website, VRT NWS. This includes explainer videos on topics like fact-checking and interactive stories, such as those addressing cyberbullying. The Dutch Media Literacy Network collects tips and (external) resources on specialised websites for adults and the general public about disinformation and news literacy.
Is there potential for collaboration with those outside civil society in your country/ies? For example, with policymakers, regulatory authorities or the tech industry. If so, what form does such collaboration take?
Sound & Vision collaborates with universities to promote news and media literacy. The goal of this partnership is to translate scientific research findings into educational interventions for both schools and the general public. This approach bridges the gap between research and the public, making science more accessible and relevant to society.
The Dutch Media Literacy Network activates the target groups’ supporters when it comes to media education and mentoring. The network helps to anchor media literacy in practice and policy. Important fields of work are education, care, welfare and media. Network partners carry out activities together and share knowledge, expertise and resources. The Media Literacy Network Program Team increases the impact of the network by connecting partners and activities, by making smart use of what is already there and by occasionally providing an extra boost.
Also Mediawijs collaborates with various stakeholders outside civil society to enhance digital inclusion and media literacy. For example, it actively engages with European policy initiatives by participating in the European Commission’s Expert Group on Media Literacy and the Global Media and Information Literacy Alliance. It also works closely with local governments, such as supporting municipalities in Flanders with strategies for digital inclusion.
Additionally, Mediawijs partners with global tech companies like Google and platforms such as Meta and TikTok to promote safer digital environments. These collaborations often focus on projects like Safer Internet Day and European Media Literacy Week, aiming to align corporate efforts with public policy objectives.
Just like Sound & Vision, Mediawijs collaborates with multiple universities all over Belgium and Europe. By integrating input from academic research and civil society, Mediawijs fosters a comprehensive approach to combating digital exclusion and misinformation through cross-sector initiatives.
Where do you think the best opportunities lie for you going forward in promoting media literacy and tackling disinformation in your country/ies?
To effectively promote media literacy and tackle disinformation in Flanders and the Netherlands, a good opportunity lies in broadening our approach and working more inclusively with diverse target groups. While much of the focus in Flanders and the Netherlands has been on education, it is essential to expand these efforts to include vulnerable groups, such as older adults, individuals with low literacy skills, and others who may be more vulnerable/susceptible to disinformation. Tailored interventions for these groups will help ensure that media literacy reaches those who need it most.
Moreover, digital and media literacy requires more than isolated actions, such as workshops, guidelines for spotting disinformation, or single campaigns. While these initiatives are valuable, their impact is often limited and lacks the structural depth needed for lasting change. Instead, a comprehensive, society-wide strategy is essential. This includes integrating media literacy training and support across various sectors, such as schools, libraries, youth services, and social and cultural organizations. By embedding media literacy into these institutions, we can provide continuous and accessible learning opportunities for people of all ages.
Furthermore, enhancing cross-regional collaboration and exchange between Flanders and the Netherlands and other European (EDMO) networks also presents a very valuable opportunity to promote media literacy and effectively address disinformation.
