The increasing volatility of the security environment in the international system has been affecting the Euro-Atlantic space and Western normative influence in many ways. One such way is disinformation, which, as one of the most cost-effective means of disruption, has become a common practice of strategic competitors of countries that integrate that space, such as the USA and Portugal. Considering that resilience starts with the protection of democratic values and institutions, public policies must pay attention to the undermining of the foundation of democracies through, among other actions, disinformation and information manipulation campaigns that foster distrust. The MEDIACTION project develops activities promoting media literacy and critical thinking focusing on public policies developed in the USA and Portugal as well as within the EU and NATO in countering disinformation and information manipulation.

The MEDIACTION project includes short-term online course targeted at young/university-age individuals and practitioners working in all kinds of governmental and non-governmental institutions, including in the area of defense and foreign affairs, as well as a live streamed conference and seminar, in addition to an eBook. The contents of the short-term online course focus on public policies developed in the USA and Portugal individually and multilaterally, namely in the context of NATO and the European Union (EU), as well as on key concepts. These activities target university students, practitioners, and the wider public with the purpose of enabling them to help counter serious disruptions to our communities that can threaten our democratic political systems and institutions and render them vulnerable to further hostile interference. The project also includes the compilation of a toolbox for citizens to counter disinformation and foster critical thinking to showcase other relevant initiatives and projects in this area.

The MEDIACTION Project is composed of a team of researchers and Master’s and PhD students, and a science communicator / producer that supports content creation. The team has various backgrounds, from international studies, cultural studies, design, journalism to European studies. In the MEDIACTION homepage there is more information about each team member.

The Center for International Studies is a multidisciplinary research center at Iscte – University Institute of Lisbon. CEI promotes interdisciplinary research in Social Sciences, IR, and Economy. Its work focuses, among other areas, on Europe and Transatlantic Relations, to address the most critical 21st Century international developments and societal challenges. These include challenges to international security, such as cybersecurity, disinformation, and its impacts at multiple levels.

The project is co-funded by the US Embassy in Portugal and CEI.

Funding for the MEDIACTION project is provided by the Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program through the U.S. Embassy Lisbon PAS (Public Affairs Section) Annual Program Statement with the Funding Opportunity Number: PAS-LISBON-FY21-01. PDS invites proposals from individuals, non-governmental organizations, think tanks, and academic institutions for public diplomacy projects that strengthen the bilateral ties between the U.S. and Portugal.

Project Title: “Media literacy and critical thinking in countering disinformation and information manipulation in the US and Portugal and the wider Euro-Atlantic space”. Proposal date: June 1, 2021. Project duration: October 1, 2021 to September 31, 2022 – the website will remain active until September 31, 2023.