To mark UNESCO Global Media and Information Literacy Week, which takes place worldwide from October 24 to 31, the State Chancellery of Latvia highlights media literacy as a fundamental human skill by publishing the second expanded edition of the digital book “Handbook Against Disinformation: Recognise and Resist”.
Compared to the first edition, Chapter III of this digital book has been updated with several new disinformation narratives and fact-based rebuttals.
The digital information world has fundamentally changed the flow of information. Today, various attempts to manipulate information are everywhere. In cases where strong evidence is lacking, manipulation is used to distract from the absence of proof or replace it with appealing but empty words. Therefore, understanding manipulation techniques is a crucial part of media literacy skills needed to navigate the 21st-century digital world.
One example of a rebuttal in the second edition addresses the disinformation claim that Russia had grounds to invade Ukraine on February 24, 2022, because Ukraine allegedly threatened Russian security. In reality, Russia had no reason to believe Ukraine was preparing an attack that would justify a pre-emptive strike. Given Ukraine’s smaller size and weaker military compared to Russia, it was unreasonable to think Ukraine would initiate aggression against a nuclear power—such an attack would be nearly suicidal. Since 2022, none of Russia’s accusations against Ukraine regarding weapons of mass destruction have been confirmed. The reasons for war were fabricated, and Russia is the aggressor.
The State Chancellery has also prepared an English translation of the handbook titled: “Handbook Against Disinformation: Recognise and Resist. 2nd Edition”, which will benefit an international audience.
About Global Media and Information Literacy Week
The goal of the week is to promote media and information literacy in society to improve critical thinking skills regarding information, media, and technology. It also aims to encourage civic participation, self-expression, economic development, and counter disinformation and misleading information.
This year’s theme is: “Mind Over Artificial Intelligence – Media and Information Literacy in the Digital Environment.”
In Latvia, several thematic events are being organized by the Baltic Centre for Media Excellence, Latvian universities, and libraries. The event calendar is available on the State Chancellery’s website (in Latvian).
