Mis(sing) Information

In today’s digital world, information is distributed globally and instantly by anyone, making it difficult to ensure accuracy. Technologies such as Large Language Models (LLMs) add new layers of complexity, increasing the risk of misinformation and "Mis(sing) Information." Mis(sing) Information refers to cases where key details are omitted or where certain aspects of events or processes are disproportionately highlighted, creating a skewed perception. In the educational sector, this is particularly concerning because the accurate and objective dissemination of information is crucial for shaping media-literate citizens who can uphold democratic values.

Addressing Mis(sing) Information has become increasingly important in the current “post-truth” society. Education systems play a pivotal role in ensuring that future generations are equipped to critically engage with the vast amounts of information they encounter. The legal aspects of information dissemination are equally vital, providing the framework for accountability and protection of democratic principles. Safeguarding the integrity of education, particularly through legal frameworks, is essential for preparing students to navigate and critically evaluate the information environment shaped by rapidly evolving technologies.

This project focuses on the study of Mis(sing) Information within the educational sector and its legal ramifications. The project integrates interdisciplinary perspectives from History, Educational Science, Law, Media Studies, Linguistics, and Informatics to explore how the omission or manipulation of critical information impacts the trustworthiness of knowledge dissemination. By examining the educational and legal challenges posed by Mis(sing) Information, the project seeks to address how these issues affect the integrity of educational systems and the democratic values they uphold.

As part of this research, the project team is focused on developing a deeper understanding of how Mis(sing) Information influences the credibility of knowledge within education. One key objective is to investigate the role of emerging technologies, such as generative AI, in shaping the modern information landscape. The rapid advancements in digital technologies have transformed information distribution, making it global, instantaneous, and accessible to anyone with an internet connection. Users have also become "prod-users," meaning they both consume and produce media, further complicating the information flow. This shift has led to an accelerated spread of both accurate and inaccurate information, making it even more crucial to explore how Mis(sing) Information functions in this environment.

This project addresses these gaps in the literature by examining how the omission of key information affects the educational sector’s role in fostering democratic engagement and media literacy. Education systems are tasked with teaching students not only to access information but to critically analyze it and understand the implications of incomplete or biased narratives. The project explores how the educational sector can respond to these challenges and ensure the accuracy of knowledge dissemination, especially as it relates to protecting freedom of speech and promoting democratic values.

The project's goals are both immediate and long-term. In the short term, it aims to provide a clearer understanding of how Mis(sing) Information operates within educational contexts and to propose potential solutions for mitigating its effects. In the long term, the research aims to contribute to the development of educational and legal frameworks that protect the fidelity of knowledge and promote democratic values in an increasingly digital world.

By exploring these issues, the project will help ensure that educational systems can continue to play their crucial role in developing informed, critical, and responsible citizens. These citizens will be better equipped to navigate the complexities of the modern information landscape, where the lines between fact and opinion, or truth and omission, can often be blurred. This ongoing research is vital for ensuring the integrity of education and for supporting future generations in their efforts to engage thoughtfully and critically with the world around them.