On August 29, 2024, AmerikaHaus NRW e.V. partnered with journalist Cristina Helberg to conduct a workshop on research, verification, and identifying disinformation at Städtisches Meerbusch Gymnasium in Meerbusch. During the two-hour session, 20 students aged 14 to 15 received training on how to use media responsibly.

Ms. Helberg, drawing on examples from her own reporting, explained how framing can influence the perception of news. She worked with the students to identify key characteristics of disinformation and encouraged them to use reverse image searches to verify the sources of images. Through a detailed examination of case studies, students learned about the potential dangers and current limitations of artificial intelligence in the context of media.

The workshop followed a "train the trainer" model, meaning the students were not only educated themselves but also equipped to teach their peers about responsible media usage. The participants were highly engaged and motivated to rethink their media habits, as evidenced by their numerous questions, demonstrating a strong interest in the subject.

We cordially thank Cristina Helberg for the insightful workshop and the Städtisches Meerbusch Gymnasium for the cooperation!

This workshop was kindly supported by the U.S. Embassy in Berlin.