EDMO Ireland and Media Literacy Ireland have relaunched the Be Election Smart media literacy campaign ahead of the Presidential Election on Friday, 24 October.
Originally developed as an EU-wide initiative for the 2024 European Elections, Be Election Smart encourages voters to think critically about the information they encounter online during election periods. EDMO Ireland has now updated the campaign messages with six practical media literacy tips, available in both Irish and English.
These tips are designed as simple reminders to help people navigate the flood of election-related content and spot misleading or false information.
Tip #1 – Read beyond the headline
Headlines can be sensational, biased, false, or misleading. Since many people only scan headlines, it’s important to read the full story and consider the source before forming an opinion.
Tip #2 – Look for the whole picture
Images, videos, and memes can be powerfully deceptive. Ask yourself questions about how a visual was created, what might be missing, and whether it appears authentic.
Tip #3 – Look beyond engagement metrics
High numbers of likes, shares, or views don’t make information accurate. Popularity is not the same as reliability, so avoid assuming that viral content is trustworthy.
Tip #4 – Compare information sources
Check how the same story is covered by different outlets. Comparing perspectives helps build a fuller and more accurate understanding of events.
Tip #5 – Don’t share until you verify
Pause before you share. If you’re not sure something is true, don’t pass it on — even if it feels urgent or aligns with your beliefs.
Tip #6 – Get voting information from official sources
For accurate and up-to-date details about voting and the election process, always refer to the official electoral commission website. Rumours and false claims about voting are particularly common in the final days of a campaign.
The Be Election Smart campaign aims to empower voters to engage confidently and critically with online information during this important democratic moment.
A more detailed list of tips and the accompanying posters is available here.
