The Communications Commission and the Media Academy have announced the third edition of the media literacy contest “Truth or Fiction?” for bachelor’s degree sudents. Participation in the contest, which aims to develop logical and critical thinking, analysis and fact-checking skills among young people, will be open to students from 29 September until 31 October. 

As part of the competition, participants are required to identify fake news in Georgian media space (internet, television and printed media) that had not yet been confirmed as inaccurate. The students 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. Winners will receive ultramodern prizes from the Communications Commission, including an iPhone 14 Pro for the first place, an HP laptop for the second place and an iPad 10.2 for the third place finish. 

Apart from the prizes, the Commission will help the winners and other successful contestants with their career development. The Commission will organise certified trainings for students, which will allow participants to obtain the status of a trainer. They will then be able to become actively involved in the media literacy projects organised by the Commission and share their knowledge and experience with other university students and school pupils. 

Parallel to the contest, the Commission will hold trainings at the university on the subject of fact-checking and identifying fake news, using materials from BBC Academy. During the interactive sessions, students will learn to analyse the false information disseminated in the media and verify facts. These meetings will also help students who wish to participate in the contest to prepare their submissions. 

The Communications Commission has already held seven editions of the media literacy contest “Truth or Fiction?”, including five for school pupils and two for bachelor’s degree students.  

Details about the competition can be viewed on the Facebook page of the Media Literacy Department,  as well as the official websites of the Commission and the Media Literacy Department. 

Participants should submit their work on the following link:  https://tinyurl.com/namdvilitumogonili