In today's digital age, fake news has become a pervasive problem. With the rise of social media and easily accessible platforms, misinformation can spread rapidly, often outpacing the truth. Fake news undermines public trust, polarizes communities, and influences political decisions. Its consequences are particularly harmful when it distorts facts on critical issues like public health, elections, or climate change. The challenge lies in distinguishing credible sources from unreliable ones, as sensationalist headlines and emotional appeals can be misleading. Combating fake news requires a collective effort to promote media literacy, fact-checking, and responsible content sharing.

The challenges we need to solve in addressing fake news are multifaceted but we will address the by focusing on four key points:

1. FAKE NEWS and FACT CHECKING. There is the difficulty of combating the sheer volume and speed at which misinformation spreads across social media and digital platforms. Promoting fact-checking initiatives to ensure that accurate information is accessible is a must.
2. FAKE NEWS AND MENTAL HEALTH. We face the challenge of improving media literacy, as many people struggle to discern credible sources from unreliable ones. We will focus on improving media literacy to help individuals critically assess the information they encounter to avoid mental health issues caused by unreliable information.
3. FAKE NEWS AND DEEP FAKES. Fostering responsible sharing habits to prevent the spread of misinformation. Platforms and outlets often lack transparency in their algorithms, allowing sensational content to dominate, which exacerbates the spread of false information. We need to encourage transparency from media outlets and platforms to hold them accountable for the content they circulate.
4. FAKE NEWS AND DEMOCRACY. Fake news plays a significant role in exacerbating political fragility, especially in countries with already unstable political climates. Misinformation can quickly erode trust in democratic institutions, polarize the electorate, and manipulate public opinion. There is the issue of holding individuals and organizations accountable for intentionally spreading fake news, which requires stricter regulations and clearer ethical guidelines.

By tackling these areas, we aim to create a more informed and conscientious digital environment. These challenges must be overcome to mitigate the harmful effects of fake news on society.

Join us for three transformative days in Barcelona at Universitat Pompeu Fabra, where students from all backgrounds will come together to tackle one of the most pressing challenges of our time—fake news. Through workshops, discussions, and collaborative projects, we'll explore how misinformation spreads, its impact on society, and the role we all play in addressing it.

It is an opportunity to not only deepen your understanding of the issue but also to work alongside fellow students in creating innovative solutions. Together, we can empower ourselves to separate fact from fiction and build a more informed, responsible future.