Beyond the Scroll: Reflections on Media Literacy at TEPSA's RECLAIM Lab

From viral memes on TikTok to breaking news, the media we consume every day shapes our understanding of reality. But are we well equipped to separate fact from disinformation? At the RECLAIM Media Literacy for Democracy Skills Lab, I discovered why media literacy is essential for safeguarding democracy in the digital age.

Watchareeya (Toon) Yodprathum

Like so many of us, the very first thing I do after waking up, even before coffee, is grab my smartphone. It is clear that the internet and media have already become deeply integrated into our daily lives. Whether we scroll through TikTok to pass the time, share memes back and forth with friends, or watch our parents post so-called 'educational' AI-generated videos in family group chats, we cannot deny that the media surrounds us 24/7. When browsing through social media, we often come across posts that seem harmless, but in reality, subtly shape how we perceive the world. Disinformation does not always scream for attention. It often sneaks in through catchy messages, distorted images, or even well-intentioned friends sharing misleading content.

With my professional background in communications and online platforms, I had always considered myself quite knowledgeable, but attending the RECLAIM Media Literacy for Democracy Skills Lab made me realize just how complex and essential media literacy truly is.

Kicking off the program

The RECLAIM Media Literacy for Democracy Skills Lab, organized by TEPSA, took place from March 17–21, 2025, in Brussels—the heart of Europe. As a non-EU citizen, I never expected to find myself back in a city so deeply tied to EU institutions. The program brought together 14 participants from various disciplines, and the application criteria even stated that anyone could apply, making the discussions diverse and enriching. Frankly speaking, the brainstorming sessions were some of the most engaging I have ever experienced during my master’s journey. They were filled with different perspectives, yet always respectful and thought-provoking.

Despite my strong interest, I initially had no idea what to expect from a five-day workshop on media literacy. I actually wondered and asked myself, “Isn’t media literacy just common sense? And why do we need so much time to learn about it?” I was skeptical but also curious about what I could take away from such an intensive program.

My interest in media literacy was sparked back in 2023, at the beginning of my journey on EPS, while working in the role of rapporteur at the Forum2000 Foundation Conference for Democracy Promotion. While reporting on five intensive panel discussions, I learned how digital threats often precede real-world conflicts. A striking example was Ukraine, which faced relentless cyberattacks from Russia long before the physical invasion, yet many officials failed to recognize these attacks as precursors to war. Another case was Taiwan, one of the most cyber-attacked nations in the world, where millions of cyber threats continuously attempt to penetrate their systems in various ways. It was through these discussions that I realized how vital media literacy is in today's turbulent world.

The workshop kicked off on a rare sunny afternoon in Brussels. Our moderator, Dr. Ricardo Castellini da Silva, immediately addressed the question that had been on my mind: Why is media literacy an ongoing process rather than a one-time lesson? The answer indeed lies in the rapid evolution of technology. 

Let us think back to 20 years ago, when computers were not an everyday household item, and accessing the internet meant waking up at 4 AM to endure a never-ending dial-up sound for at least two hours. Remember the frustration of someone calling the landline and instantly cutting off your internet connection? Some of us can remember these days, but now look at us. We have WiFi absolutely everywhere, even on airplanes. Who could have predicted that back then? 

The point is, as technology rapidly evolves, so do the ways misinformation spreads, making the consequences harder and harder to ignore. According to a 2022 survey conducted across the 27 EU member states, almost a third of respondents reported that they have often or very often encountered news that misrepresented reality or was entirely false. In contrast, only 8% disagreed entirely that they regularly saw fake or suspicious content, underscoring the growing scale of misinformation. Additionally, social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube have officially become the number one news source for youth in the EU, surpassing TV and even digital news outlets. According to the European Parliament Youth Survey, 42% of Europeans aged 16 to 30 now rely mainly on social media to access political and social news. While this shift reflects a fast-paced, more accessible model of news consumption, it also turns these platforms into a playground for disinformation. This rising reliance on social media increases young people’s exposure to fake news and the effects are far worse than just being misinformed. Studies show that disinformation has serious psychological consequences such as increased mistrust, anxiety, and even ignorance of critical democratic issues.

Recognizing Our Own Biases

One of the most fascinating parts of the workshop was learning about the psychology and neuroscience behind our media consumption. I had always prided myself on being neutral and critically minded when reading political news,  but biases work in more subtle ways than we realize. Our brains process information more emotionally than rationally.

Take my experience on Twitter (which I no longer use after it changed to X), for example. Back in 2021–2022, as Thailand’s political crisis intensified, I followed and retweeted news and statements that aligned with my pro-democracy stance, often without thoroughly verifying them, because I had such strong confidence in the sources. What is more, the limited time that I had to react made me less critical. An overwhelming amount of information was spreading rapidly, and losing touch with the news felt like losing touch with democracy itself. But not all of it was reliable; some of it was fabricated. Even when the facts were accurate, different angles and subtle nuances shaped the reality in ways I didn’t immediately recognize. That experience was a wake-up call: even news that supports democracy can, at times, inadvertently harm it. 

The workshop also covered conspiracy theories. I was amused to learn that flat-earthers, Kodiak shark believers, and giant whale-sized sea monster enthusiasts still exist on social media. It reminded me of my childhood and the Loch Ness Monster—I refused to believe Nessie was just a floating toy, until I finally accepted the evidence (at least for now). But why do conspiracy theories thrive? Because they contain fragments of truth, connect dots in seemingly logical ways, and, most importantly, they give people a sense of exclusivity—“I know something you don’t.” That feeling of belonging to a certain group with privileged access to ‘secret information’ is what keeps misinformation alive.

From Classroom to Field Visit

Beyond the seminars, we had the opportunity to hear from experts, including EU policymakers, NGO representatives, journalists, and even officials from the European External Action Service (EEAS). One phrase from the workshop that stuck with me was: “Information is expensive; misinformation is cheap.” This  hit home. 

Let me ask you, “Do you subscribe to paid news channels?” Because, as a broke student, I do not. Most reliable sources now have paid subscription plans, whereas free content, with unidentifiable sources, floods social media. But here is the issue: real journalism requires effort, funding, and fact-checking, whereas misinformation can be created and shared within seconds, spreading like wildfire. How can we make journalism more affordable while keeping the quality high? This is the puzzle to solve. 

One particularly clever tactic we learned about was FIMI (Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference), which is fabricated, manipulated, or misleading information that is not entirely false but meant to distort reality, deliberately harming democracy. Want to know a prime example? The infamous bed bug scare in Paris before the 2024 Olympics. Many viral videos showed people avoiding metro seats, fueling hysteria. But according to EEAS officials, this was a planted disinformation campaign orchestrated by Russia, designed to distract from major events like the EU elections. The sheer subtlety of such campaigns makes them that much harder to counter.

One particular initiative stood out to me: Lie Detectors. This is an NGO that brings journalists into schools to teach media literacy and explain how their profession actually works. Journalists, as curators of information, bear the responsibility of ethical reporting—something many social media news sources lack. This initiative is particularly crucial for students, who have grown up viewing the digital world as reality rather than just cyberspace. I hope such efforts expand globally to foster critical thinking among future generations who are growing up with advanced technology and social media at their fingertips.

Key Takeaways

Attending this workshop expanded my understanding of media literacy far beyond what I had learnt at the Forum 2000 Conference. I realized that media literacy is not just about avoiding cyberattacks or getting my TikTok doom scrolling under control; it is a crucial skill that affects our daily lives and a fundamental civic responsibility. This lab did not just teach me to think critically about media—it inspired me to want to. It made me realize that every time I mindlessly share a post or react to a viral claim without verifying it, I might be a part of the problem.

O So, what can we do now? How can we help others develop media literacy, and not just to protect them but to empower them to detect misinformation? One key takeaway was that we cannot put the entire burden on individuals. Disinformation is systemic, influenced by factors that are far beyond personal control. It remains a challenge for policymakers to develop media regulations without infringing on freedoms. 

But for now, one simple yet powerful tool we can all use is lateral reading. This practice is simple; leave a website to check other sources before believing and sharing information. This extra step allows us to pause, verify, and avoid spreading misinformation. In a world flooded with disinformation, media literacy is not just important; it is essential.