Media and Information Literacy Training continues in North Macedonia
Related project
Balkan Voices 2As part of the Balkan Voices 2 project, CFI continues to strengthen media and information literacy across the Western Balkans.
The latest training session took place in Negotino, North Macedonia, where high school students engaged in an interactive workshop on disinformation, fact-checking, and digital literacy.
This event was honored by the presence of French Ambassador to North Macedonia, Christophe Le Rigoleur, who emphasized the importance of critical thinking in countering misinformation.
Strengthening youth against disinformation
The workshop, led by Dragan Atanasov, provided students with essential skills to identify and combat misinformation. Through hands-on exercises, participants explored methods to detect fake news, verify sources, and develop a critical approach to online content.
French Ambassador Christophe Le Rigoleur highlighted the key role of initiatives like Balkan Voices 2 in promoting media literacy:
I believe that CFI, as a French operator, brings valuable expertise in this field. Their involvement in the regional program Balkan Voices 2 is crucial. By organizing this workshop for both young people and journalists, CFI directly contributes to building a culture that enables individuals to defend themselves against fake news and disinformation. Providing young people with the necessary tools to critically assess information is essential. Developing their critical thinking and digital literacy will help them recognize false images and misleading content, ultimately fostering a fact-checking culture.”.
Teachers’ acknowledge the impact of Media Literacy Training
French teacher Dragan Trajcevski from the bilingual high school in Negotino emphasized the importance of such workshops in the fight against misinformation:
Misinformation spreads rapidly, and it is essential that these workshops are conducted by professionals who can teach students how to identify and combat fake news. After the first workshop we had last year, I noticed a significant improvement in my students' critical thinking skills. We lack a dedicated subject in our curriculum to address this issue, so this type of training is essential. Students who participated last year have already engaged in debates in their communities, and I hope we can continue with a third workshop soon..
Students reflect on the importance of Fact-Checking
Participants of the workshop shared their insights on the significance of fact-checking and media literacy.
Marija Bocevski expressed surprise at “how easily misinformation spreads and its impact on society”, stating that she now verifies news through multiple sources, prioritizing national and international outlets.
Similarly, Kiril Dimitrov emphasized the “overwhelming presence of false information online and how workshops like this help young people develop the skills needed to identify inconsistencies in news reports”.
He highlighted the importance of continued training, noting that spreading awareness at both local and global levels is crucial in reducing misinformation.
Commitment to expanding Media Literacy Initiatives
The Balkan Voices 2 project remains committed to equipping youth and educators with the necessary tools to navigate the digital landscape responsibly. With ongoing support from partners and stakeholders, CFI implements these workshops across the Western Balkans, ensuring that more than 2000 young people have access to media literacy education.
