FAMA – Online Conversations about media, disinformation and democracy

The FAMA project is organising three online conversations on the role of media and digital platforms in spreading disinformation and shaping democratic debate.

1 December, 5:00–7:00 pm 

Populist Discourse and New Media

With Andrea Maria Rapisarda Mattarella, Francesco Perconti and Riccardo Bellavista.

We will explore the intersections between online populism and disinformation, at a time when distrust in institutions and ongoing crises make narratives that set “the people” against “the elites” ever more effective.

Andrea Maria Rapisarda Mattarella – Journalist, UniPA

A freelance journalist with experience in TV, radio and print, Andrea Maria Rapisarda Mattarella will explore how AI is changing the way we produce and consume information, and what this means for the quality of journalism and for us as readers.

Francesco Perconti – TechSoup

Francesco Perconti holds a degree in Development Economics and International Cooperation. He began his career in 2010 supporting civil society organisations and specialised in social innovation and technology. In 2020 he joined TechSoup to develop the Digital Activism Program, a global initiative against disinformation.

Riccardo Bellavista – Centro per lo Sviluppo Creativo Danilo Dolci

9 December, 4:00–6:00 pm

Addressing Topic-Based News Avoidance and Online Polarization

With Giulia Pozzi, Riccardo Bellavista and Ennio Iannitto.

We will try to understand why many people avoid the news on complex or emotionally charged topics, such as health, climate, migration and identity, and how online polarization contributes to this disengagement.

Giulia Pozzi – NewsGuard Italy

Giulia Pozzi, Deputy Editor of NewsGuard in Italy, will guide us through the technological mechanisms of disinformation and the role of AI in both creating and fighting false content. With experience at the United Nations in New York and a fellowship at the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting, she brings an international perspective.

Ennio Iannitto – Gestalt psychologist and psychotherapist, Palermo

Dr. Ennio Iannitto is a psychologist and psychotherapist. He practises clinically in private and in collaboration with local organisations. Alongside his clinical work, he is involved in local and European projects – collaborating with organisations such as CESIE, LILT Palermo APS and the HCC Italy Gestalt Institute – focusing on the difficulties faced by young people and adolescents, marginalised communities, and the prevention of gender-based violence.

Riccardo Bellavista – Centro per lo Sviluppo Creativo Danilo Dolci

11 December, 4:00–6:00 pm 

Countering Politicized and Platform-driven Disinformation

With Debora Barletta, Giulia Agolino and Alberto Biondo.

We will look at how the logic of digital platforms, such as Facebook, TikTok and YouTube, and political manipulation come together in the spread of false or misleading content.

Debora Barletta – International youth worker and trainer

Debora Barletta is an international youth worker and trainer, with expertise in human rights education, countering hate speech, youth participation and Internet governance. National Coordinator of the No Hate Speech Movement Italy, she sits on the board of YouthIGF Italy and on the Programme Committee of the Internet Governance Forum Italy.

Giulia Agolino – PhD candidate, University of Palermo

Giulia Agolino is a PhD candidate in “Disuguaglianze, differenze, partecipazione” (Inequalities, Differences, Participation) at the University of Palermo. With an academic background in communication, her research focuses on participation, public communication, online misogyny and anti-feminism, power dynamics and political participation in the age of platforms.

Alberto Biondo – Coordinatore Centro per lo Sviluppo Creativo Danilo Dolci

Why to join

The events will be an opportunity to:

•           Understand how media and digital platforms influence the spread of disinformation
•           Reflect on the challenges this poses to democratic debate
•           Interact with experts and professionals in the field.

How to join

All the three conversations will take place online, live on ZOOM. You can register for one or more events by clicking here.

Participants who attend all three events (1, 9 and 11 December) will be awarded 1 university credit (CFU).

(In the days following each event, a certificate of participation will be issued to registered participants, subject to verification of attendance)

To get updates about FAMA  and sign up for upcoming events, please contact Riccardo Bellavista: riccardo.bellavista@danilodolci.org. 

FAMA – Empowering Informed Citizens | Empowering European Democracies | Tackling Disinformation and Other Forms of Interference to the Democratic Debate is a European project funded by the CERV-2025-CITIZENS-CIV programme,  which aims to strengthening democratic participation and civic resilience through media literacy education, combating disinformation, and the inclusive engagement of young people, women and minorities through transnational and collaborative participatory practices.