Media Investigation Lab
How often do you doubt whether the information you see on your timeline is correct? The Media Investigation Lab (MIL) is an innovative learning environment where students, teachers, media professionals and experts work together to investigate, recognize and combat mis- and disinformation. With OSINT and journalistic research methods, they analyze deepfakes, fake news and social media. In this way, they strengthen their digital literacy, critical thinking and news literacy - skills that are indispensable in an age of online manipulation and information overload.
Background
Online media are playing an increasingly important role in how we understand the world. However, with the rise of deepfakes, AI and algorithmically driven content, the potential for deception, confusion and polarisation is also growing. The MIL is founded in response to this urgent social challenge.
The lab investigates how mis- and disinformation spread through platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and X. Think of AI images that manipulate protests, or videos that subtly spread fake news through trending formats. By making these processes visible and critically analysing them, the MIL contributes to media literacy, journalistic innovation and democratic resilience.
Who is the project team?
Anke Vellenga
Deike Schulz
Abram Kleijweg
Nynke Janna Borsje
Konstatin Brehm
In addition, the team is supported by students from the Academy of Media, Commerce & Entrepreneurship.
The Media Investigation Lab is an initiative of the Professorship Organisations and Social Media and works closely with the Click-check-control learning community of the Professorship Cybersafety (Thorbecke Academy).
External partners are Media Innovation Campus Leeuwarden (MICA), Bellingcat, Mediahuis Noord, DiBu Fryslân, Howest University of Applied Sciences, Politécnico de Leiria, Technological University of the Shannon and Universidad de Burgos.
Project approach
The MIL is a living lab where learning, research, expertise and practice come together. The integration of real-life case studies, open-source research methods and interdisciplinary collaboration creates a practice-oriented and meaningful learning environment in which students do not only develop skills but also generate social impact. This approach fosters ownership, curiosity, and an inquisitive attitude - competencies that are essential in a digital age of information overload, artificial intelligence, and polarization.
What are the main (or preliminary) results?
In addition to the living lab, digital literacy will be structurally embedded within existing curricula so that all students of the Academy of Media Commerce & Entrepreneurship develop these important skills. Teachers at the academy receive training to develop and implement lesson plans within their own programmes. Therefore, a learning pathway, educational materials and a toolbox are being developed.
The living lab acts as a knowledge accelerator within and outside the university of applied sciences. Through collaboration with partners such as MICA, Bellingcat, experts and local (news) organisations a network is created in which knowledge development and dissemination are structurally safeguarded. In concrete terms, this means that participants in the lab work on challenges proposed by media companies. At the same time, fact-checking marathons, workshops and guest lectures are also organised for a wider audience. In this way, the MIL contributes to a resilient, informed society - with the university of applied sciences as an active knowledge partner in the public domain.
Project Partners
Media Innovation Campus Leeuwarden (MICA), Bellingcat, Mediahuis Noord, DiBu Fryslân, Howest University of Applied Sciences, Politécnico de Leiria, Technological University of the Shannon and Universidad de Burgos.
