As EDMO sets the frame for Europe, the aim of CEDMO is to implement an unprecedented, but highly experienced hub against disinformation for the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia. Its activity includes production of fact-checks, media literacy campaigning and most crucially for KInIT: research and development of AI-powered fact-checking support tools.
CEDMO is supported by a large network of government, media, industry and NGO entities as well as experts. Stakeholder collaboration will establish recognition, visibility, and impact of the hub. It will catalyze understanding, identification and responses to disinformation.
The CEDMO consortium, led by Charles University – CU (CZE), involves eight partners and three subcontractors. Its greatest strength is the diverse team of technical and humanities scientists with journalists and fact checking professionals: the addressed problem is inherently multidisciplinary and requires attention from multiple angles. From the consortium members, Athens Technology Center – ATC (GRE) will be responsible for the development of the technical infrastructure. Immediate disinformation responses and daily fact checking will be delivered by seasoned professionals of AFP (CZE, POL, SVK, EN), Demagog.cz (CZE) and several subcontractors.
Researchers from KInIT (SVK) and Czech Technical University in Prague – CTU (CZE), who have extensive experience with artificial intelligence will develop methods and tools to improve and speed up fact checking.
Other consortium members will research the impact of misinformation on the society: CU (CZE), University of Ss. Cyril and Methodius in Trnava- UCM (SVK), SWPS (POL) and future subcontractors. On top of that, CU will lead the integration of technical and humanities branches of the consortium through interdisciplinary research initiatives.
The interdisciplinarity will add value to its outputs. For instance, the analytical reports on the state of disinformation, prepared by humanities researchers and journalists, will be enhanced by insights from digital tools created by technical-oriented partners. The media literacy campaigns will not only rely on traditional techniques such as workshops, symposiums, webinars, but will also include innovative interactive tools, like self-tests or serious games.
A strict and continuous evaluation of the campaigns’ impact and a strong communication plan will guarantee a constant improvement of the process, organization and tools, and long-term sustainability.
Mária Bieliková, Expert researcher
Kempelen Institute of Intelligent Technologies
