Manipulation on the net"Quelle: Trust me" campaign by the NRW State Media Authority enters its second phase

Often all it takes is a picture, a video or a headline on social media to trigger emotions and create panic. Disinformation takes advantage of this and distracts from the real issue, spreading half-truths, using false sources or fake quotes. Increasingly, artificial intelligence is also being used, making it almost impossible to distinguish true from false content. 

Manipulation is not an aberration

Disinformation is created through distorted facts, manipulated images or videos and fuels prejudice, mistrust and conflict. It is deliberately used to trigger emotional reactions and thus spread more quickly on social media. The large amount of manipulative online content weakens social cohesion and makes public opinion more susceptible to radical and extreme views. However, the question of who actually benefits from this is too rarely asked in social debates.

Education instead of manipulation

To counteract this, the NRW Media Authority launched the "Source: Trust me" campaign back in February 2025 with the aim of sensitizing young people in particular to anti-democratic narratives.  The campaign website provides parents and teachers with information and materials on the topic of disinformation. The campaign spot also illustrates the mechanisms of disinformation and provides tips on how to deal with it safely.