Special Issue Crisis Media Literacy Editorial

Abstract

The 2025 special issue of OBS* Observatorio Journal, dedicated to crisis media literacy, addresses the challenges posed by disinformation, information overload, and manipulation in contexts such as pandemics, wars, and natural disasters. In a world shaped by prosumer culture and the massive circulation of content on social media, the ability to critically engage with information has become essential. The editorial outlines current issues faced by newsrooms and society in general, including fragmented attention, unreliable messages, and the fragility of media business models. It also highlights European efforts to combat disinformation, while stressing the need for better integration between scientific research, community knowledge, and legislation. This issue gathers eight academic papers presented at the 1st International Conference on Crisis Media Literacy, held at the University of Aveiro in November 2024. The editorial concludes that media literacy in times of crisis requires interdisciplinary approaches that connect research, practice, and public policy, fostering critical thinking and informed decision-making in an increasingly complex informational ecosystem.