An anti-fake news truck tours Île-de-France to raise awareness among passers-by

The yellow truck, decorated with newspapers and microphones from several television channels, catches the eye. For 20 days, this “news truck” from the association The lights of information toured the Île de France. On the program, stops in several towns in the region and discussions with passers-by who are often stopped. “At first, I thought that it was a marchand de hot-dogs“confides Ibrahim, 10 years old.

The aim of the operation is to meet the audiences far from the news. “Moi I don't watch the news. Only my parents are watching.”says Ibrahim. The journalists, members of the association, therefore try to to raise awareness young and old to false information and their work. “These are audiences who have a lot of distrust and of distrust towards us. For us, this is therefore an opportunity to understand why do they think like that and have so many questions about the media?explains Florian Guadalupe, journalist and member of the association.

“Questions that every citizen must ask themselves”

So journalists even provide tools to don't fall into the trap of the fake news. “There are questions that need to be asked. Why is information shocking? Who is quoted in the article? How is the person quoted? These are interrogations that every citizen must have for be certain that the information is real“explains Florian Guadalupe.

During the 20 days of its tour, the “news truck” will visit colleges, town halls and even EHPADs.