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Fostering Societal Resilience Through Media Literacy: Where EDMO Stands and What Lies Ahead

This text has been published as part of the first edition of the new monthly EDMO Signals & Noise newsletter. Sign up here to receive future editions directly to your inbox.

Over the past years, EDMO has established media literacy as a central pillar in the fight against disinformation. Through a growing network of national and regional Hubs, the work of the EDMO Council on Media Literacy (previously the EDMO Council on Guidelines for Effective Media Literacy Initiatives), and a sustained investment in training, research, and community-building, has contributed to strengthening Europe’s capacity to respond to an increasingly complex information environment.

Today, EDMO’s media literacy efforts stand on three key foundations:

First, a stronger understanding of societal vulnerabilities. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and cross-country exchanges, EDMO has advanced efforts to better grasp how different groups engage with and are affected by disinformation. This includes recognising that vulnerability is not uniform, but shaped by a combination of social, political, economic, and informational factors. The next phase will deepen this work through a more structured and comparative approach.

Second, a well-established training programme. EDMO has delivered a wide range of training modules reaching diverse audiences: from researchers and journalists to policymakers and educators. Looking ahead, the training programme will expand further, with a needs-based approach that integrates emerging challenges such as AI-generated content, evolving disinformation tactics, and sector-specific risks.

Third, the consolidation of a strong media literacy community. Through the EDMO Council on Media Literacy, the development of the Guidelines for Effective Media Literacy Initiatives, and regular exchanges across the network, EDMO has created a space for collaboration among practitioners, experts, and institutions. This community-driven approach remains essential to ensuring that media literacy responses are grounded in practice and adaptable to diverse national and regional contexts.

Building on these foundations, the next phase of EDMO’s media literacy work will focus on scaling impact and strengthening coordination. This includes developing stronger evidence on societal vulnerabilities, expanding and adapting training opportunities, and reaching wider audiences through EU-wide campaigns and improved dissemination. In a fast-changing information landscape, strengthening media literacy is a shared responsibility, and EDMO will continue to support its community of experts and practitioners, ensuring their knowledge and experience shape future actions.