Martyn Wade, Chair of IFLA’s Advisory Committee on Freedom of Access to Information and Freedom of Expression, delivered a speech on Fake News and Libraries in Zagreb. The occasion was the 2018 Round Table on Freedom of Access to Information organised by the Croatian Library Association. Libraries have… Read More
As information becomes more and more central to the way we work, live and communicate, the importance of the ability to find, understand and use it grows. In parallel, concerns around fake news underline the risks to democracy and informed decision-making from misinformation. Media and information… Read More
The phenomenon of ‘fake news’ has risen to prominence in many countries, regularly appearing in political debate. IFLA is concerned by the risk that this can pose to access to information, where people do not have the skills to spot it, but also by the way… Read More
The first UNESCO-IFAP conference on ‘Tangible and Intangible Impacts of Information and Communications in the Digital Age’ took place in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia on 3-8 June 2018. The meeting took a long-term perspective on the implications of digital transformation on the way we learn, share and communicate. IFLA offered words of welcome, underlining the contribution libraries could make to such debates. Read More
As calls grow for governments to act quickly on fake news, many seem tempted to create ‘bans’ or regulation. However, simple solutions are rarely the best response to complex problems. At a workshop on fake news with European Commissioner Mariya Gabriel in 27 February, IFLA underlined the weaknesses of regulation, and the importance of education, as a way forwards. Read More
The European Union is looking to establish what sort of response, if any, should be made to the phenomenon of 'fake news' on the Internet. With some countries having decided to introduce efforts to ban it (with a high possibility of unintended consequences), the need to make the case… Read More
Faced with growing concerns over fake news, the European Union launched a consultation on fake news, and how to fight it in November 2017. IFLA has responded, underlining that the only sustainable response is a literate, critical population. Libraries are essential in delivering this, and should be supported to do so. Read More
Libraries have long helped users to develop their capacity to spot where information is needed, and then to find it and apply it. A recently published research report from the European Parliament underlines how vital this role is in an Internet-enabled society. Read More
At a time of concern about the future of the Internet, there has never been a greater need both for information literacy, and for librarians as information literacy specialists. Speaking at the European Conference on Information Literacy, IFLA underlined the importance of what libraries are doing, and the need to ensure key decision-makers understand this. Read More
Libraries have been active in taking the IFLA infographic on How to Spot Fake News, and using it to promote media and information literacy. IFLA has produced a short report on initiatives to day – we welcome further suggestions! Please send these to esmeralda.moscaltelli[at]ifla.org. Read More