With the rise of digital media, information travels fast. Yet it also runs the risk of evolving from information into disinformation, due to the proliferation of uncredited sources or the multiplying and sometimes distorting effect of social media. Disentangling yourself from this web in search of reliable news is not always easy.
This is why TIM is participating in IDMO - Italian Digital Media Observatory - the leading Italian observatory that supports and implements the work of the European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO) on the impact of fake news and the promotion of good practices in the use of digital media. As well as TIM, other partners supporting the project coordinated by Data Luiss Lab are: Rai, Gedi, University of Rome Tor Vergata, NewsGuard, Pagella Politica and T6 Ecosystem. The aim of the project is to help make information more secure and to provide tools and skills accessible to all.
Free training course
This is the mission behind "Appointment with Digital Media", a free training programme offered by TIM to primary and secondary schools to develop the ability to analyse and optimise the use of digital media and combat fake news on the web. Designed for teachers and students, the course is also open to anyone interested in becoming conscious and responsible online users. "Appointment with Digital Media", which is also available in Italian Sign Language (LIS), offers an innovative approach to training using different formats such as live meetings, video clips and interactive games, designed with the support of researchers and experts in the field to promote the development of Digital and Media Literacy skills.
Appointment with Digital Media: the course calendar
The first event on 23 March is a live streaming webinar entitled "The ABC of Digital” with contributions from Mariano Tredicini, TIM's Head of Social Platform & Analysis and an expert in Digital Media. Subsequent events will follow on a fortnightly basis and will touch on other Digital Media Literacy topics:
- 6 April: "We are all creators", to reflect on and learn about the methods, languages and effects of content creation for the web;
- 20 April: "Privacy and Copyright", to identify the critical aspects of content creation and sharing: privacy and copyright;
- 4 May: "Information disorder", to learn how to critically evaluate information and recognise fake news.
Course participants will be awarded a certificate of attendance. Teachers can also certify their participation on the MIUR S.O.F.I.A. Platform and schools with the highest levels of engagement will receive the title of "Digital & Media Educator".
All interested parties can register through the Education page of IDMO, where it is also possible to consult the calendar of "Appointment with Digital Media” events, access on-demand content and stay up-to-date on the activities of the Observatory and the European programme to combat fake news.
As part of TIM's collaboration with IDMO, a series of reports will be produced by the TIM Data Room which will analyse online data on specific topics, with the aim of exploring what happens on the web when fake news is spread.
This partnership is further confirmation of TIM's commitment to the dissemination of digital skills by promoting the informed use of new communication tools.