Digitaler Kompass

About us

Since 2016, we have been working as a non-profit organization to promote media literacy in Austria and Europe. To this end, we operate at the intersection of education, scientific research, and journalism, both within and outside the education system. We are pursuing a vision of social change towards an editorial generation – a generation of young people who have learned basic journalistic techniques and independently verify the accuracy of information in the digital space. To achieve this goal, we hold workshops for school classes, continuously develop new, innovative projects, and produce fact checks for TikTok.

The problem

Fake news, conspiracy myths, and filter bubbles are the buzzwords of a media landscape that has become confusing. Most young people today get most of their information online via social media channels. There, they encounter an overwhelming amount of information that affects them unfiltered. They may come across excellent content, but they also encounter false reports and conspiracy myths. This is because big tech companies present different sources side by side as if they were all equally valid. But which sources inform and which manipulate? This is a key question of our time and the educational mission of the 21st century.

Our solution

Digital Compass pursues the vision of social change toward an editorial generation—a generation of young people who have learned basic journalistic techniques and independently examine information in the digital space for its truthfulness. They make mature democratic decisions and pave the way for a future fact-based discourse in the interest of the common good. To achieve this goal, we offer numerous training opportunities for students and teachers, conduct scientific research, and establish journalistic role models on TikTok. You can find an overview of our activities in our impact report.