Countering Disinformation at Local Level: Public Discussions in Cahul

At the beginning of July, public discussions dedicated to countering disinformation and fake news were launched in Cahul, initiated by the Media Center for Youth. The event brought together young people, teachers, journalists, representatives of local public authorities, and civil society organizations, in a context highlighting the importance of accurate information ahead of the upcoming autumn elections.

Within the public discussion “Sources of Information and Countering Disinformation at Local Level,” the Regional Community Development Center (CRDC) participated as a speaker, presenting its experience and interventions developed in the field of media literacy and information resilience among young people—one of the organization’s priority areas since 2023.

CRDC’s contribution focused in particular on:

• presenting media literacy and community journalism programmes implemented at local and regional levels;

• promoting critical thinking through interactive debates and the use of documentary films as educational tools;

• applying non-formal methods for information, active engagement, and civic participation of young people.

The discussions reaffirmed that access to quality information, critical thinking, and the ability to identify false narratives are essential for young people’s responsible participation in democratic processes. At the same time, the exchange of best practices between local media, NGOs, and youth centers highlighted the need for continuous community-level cooperation to strengthen information resilience.

We thank local partners and representatives of public authorities for their openness and support, as well as the Media Center for Youth for the invitation and for facilitating this space for dialogue.

The event was carried out with the financial support of the European Union, within the framework of the project “Countering False Narratives and Promoting Informed Decision-Making among Young People in the Republic of Moldova,” funded through a grant provided by the Institute for War & Peace Reporting and the Independent Press Association. The content of this article is the sole responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union or IWPR.