Against the backdrop of news of the pandemic and new restrictions, any positive news attracts people’s eyes. In 2020-2021, when receiving information, it became necessary to identify its reliability, develop the ability to recognize fake news and improve your critical thinking.

Peace Child Estonia’s youth team created the Positive News Channel project which was supported by the UK government, British Council, National Foundation of Civil Society and Tallinn Education Department. The project is aimed mainly at the Russian-speaking audience. As part of the project, we are increasing the media skills and knowledge of young and older people about critical thinking and media literacy, breaking stereotypes about vulnerable social groups, through trainings, video interviews, articles, an online storybook and an educational toolkit for social networks.

The trainings were carried out by media professionals, one of the trainers was Andres Jõesaar, Vice-Rector for the Development of Creative Activities and Cooperation of the Baltic Film, Media and Arts School, Tallinn University.

Within the framework of the project, the textbook “A Guide to Critical Thinking. Education in traditional and digital media”, which is an important part of the project, as it makes it possible to positively influence all target groups in achieving the goals of the project and to unite for communication with representatives of all target groups and development.

To complement the project activities, an educational social media toolkit was prepared, which includes video and written content, exercises, best practices of professional young journalists, advice from opinion leaders.

More information about the project on Facebook  or Instagram .

Check out the video “Bullying and Children’s Rights” and “Community Integration” on YouTube.

Author: Rusalina Gassõmova, youth worker, volunteer of Peace Child Estonia