The International Center for Journalists’ (ICFJ) Disarming Disinformation initiative aims to combat the spread of disinformation through programs like investigative journalism, capacity building, and media literacy education, supported by the Scripps Howard Foundation. Partnering with MediaWise, ICFJ has trained community leaders to promote media literacy, impacting over 3,200 people so far.
Lucero Ascarza, a former journalist turned educator in Peru, faced significant challenges with disinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly related to the anti-vaccine movement. Through the ICFJ initiative, she launched workshops named “Verifica pe: Hablemos de desinformación y cómo combatirla,” targeting teachers and teenagers in both school and church settings to foster media literacy.
Ascarza’s interactive workshops emphasized critical thinking and practical skills like the framework of Stop, Distrust, and Verify. The response was positive, with participants expressing newfound insights into evaluating information and understanding the intentions behind social media posts.
Looking ahead, Ascarza plans to continue promoting media literacy and responsible AI use, and she is launching a new media venture, Contranoticia, focusing on community narratives and fact-checking.
