Getting a Grip on Disinformation: From Distrust to Trust within Learning Communities

This chapter explores how citizens in the Frisian area of the Netherlands joined forces to combat disinformation through the project "De Pit" from September 2022 to September 2023. The project involved three independent regional learning communities with diverse participants investigating and exposing disinformation. The goal was to empower communities to fight disinformation as part of an active community at their local library, (vocational) school, or university. We conducted a multiple experimental case study to analyze how these communities establish rules, roles, and agreements to critically collect, analyze, understand, and report on the information surrounding them in online and offline spaces. Considering the different backgrounds, level of education, ages, and geographical locations enables us to learn if people create similar or different solutions to fight disinformation. Ostrom’s Institutional Analysis and Development framework has supported us in understanding these learning communities and how the participants have developed a research approach enabling them to interpret the facts behind information circulating in the public sphere. Our research indicates that learning communities, backed by local institutions such as libraries, schools, and universities, can provide a secure space for acquiring and practicing skills. This can help in efforts to reduce polarization online and offline by engaging individuals from various backgrounds. Learning communities focus on creating a safe environment where individuals can self-govern with expert guidance. Our study suggests that defending democracy may begin within offline communities, fostering discussions on both local and global issues. Finally, as part of this chapter, we present a ‘roadmap’ with conditions and recommendations to implement a successful learning community to inspire and support others in setting up similar initiatives.