Jochen Spangenberg, Deputy Head of Research and Cooperation Projects at Deutsche Welle, recognized the importance of studying the impact of the huge volume of disinformation in the digital space, including fatigue among fact-checkers.
The Nature of Disinformation's Impact
He emphasized that the problem goes beyond mere lies. It includes the impact of user-generated digital content as well as news received from various news contexts. Spangenberg noted that there is a lot of material capable of having a serious negative impact on mental well-being.
The Importance of Prevention and Strategy
Therefore, according to Spangenberg, it is crucial to prepare people for such situations in advance by using existing mechanisms for coping with stress and trauma. He advised turning off the sound, as auditory information is remembered by the brain more strongly than visual images. The official also insists on the need to have prevention strategies and avoidance techniques readily available to protect a person, especially if they work as a journalist.
Scientific Findings and Warnings
Spangenberg stressed that despite the limitations of current research in this area, it is evident that exposure to potentially traumatic digital material can have very negative consequences for mental health. He warned that no one wants to suffer from collapse or long-term health problems. As a representative of the organization, he strives to protect his team, and individually fears consequences such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Seminar Context
These statements were made during the Connecting UE seminar organized by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC). The seminar took place on July 6 and 7 in Sofia, Bulgaria, and was themed 'Protecting European Values: The Power of Civil Society.'