The Communications Commission and the Media Academy will hold the second edition of the “Truth or Fiction?” competition that is designed to develop critical thinking, analysis and fact-checking skills among youngsters. Applications are open to all 9^th, 10^th and 11^th grade pupils between 27 November and 14 December. At the same time, the Media Literacy Department of the Communications Commission will conduct training in up to ten schools to teach pupils how to verify facts and identify fake news.

As part of the competition, participants are required to identify fake news in Georgian media space (including the internet, television and print media) that has not yet been confirmed as inaccurate. The pupils have to explain how they identified the information, present the relevant source and establish real facts surrounding the case.

Competition winners will be selected by a competent jury panel. Due to the large number of participants, the submitted works will be evaluated in July. The date of the awards ceremony will be announced to the participants at the end of July. Winners will receive impressive ultramodern prizes, including an iPhone 11 for the first place, an iPad 10.2 for the second place and Beats Studio 3 wireless headphones for the third place finish.

9^th, 10^th and 11^th grade pupils can submit their works between 27 November and 27 December 2020 by using the following link: http://tiny.cc/oggb6y

The second edition of the “Truth or Fiction?” competition has an added educational component. In close cooperation with the Ministry of Education, representatives from the Media Literacy Department of the Communications Commission will conduct training in up to ten schools. Pupils will learn to analyse fake information in the media and verify facts. These meetings will also help the pupils prepare their works for the competition.

Participants can choose the format of the assignment themselves. The assignment can have the form of a video, multimedia work, presentation or an alternative creative form. In any case, all works must have a list of used sources attached to them.

Rules and other details about the “Truth or Fiction?” competition can be viewed on the Facebook page of the GNCC Media Literacy Department https://www.facebook.com/MediaLiteracy.GNCC/ and the GNCC homepage www.gncc.ge .