Classroom visits from the "Lie Detectors" at Euregio-Gymnasium

To mark International Press Freedom Day on 3 May 2026, Europe Direct is once again bringing the EU Commission's award-winning "Lie Detectors" concept to Bocholt. Over the course of two days, pupils in years 5 and 6 at Euregio-Gymnasium will be trained by professional journalists to become "Lie Detectors".

Artificial intelligence, distorting algorithms and an increasingly fragmented world of information are making it more and more difficult for young people to navigate the digital space safely and independently. False reports are created in a matter of seconds and spread just as quickly.

Workshops on disinformation and fake news

This is precisely where the non-profit European organisation "Lie Detectors" comes in. Following the successful launch of the cooperation in 2023, it is once again sending journalists at the invitation of the City of Bocholt's EUROPE DIRECT to educate young people about disinformation and the working methods of professional journalism. In the interactive 90-minute workshops on 4 and 7 May, the fifth and sixth graders from Euregio-Gymnasium will learn which tools they can use to expose false reports on the internet and which rules journalists work by.

"In view of the daily flood of information and targeted fake news, it is important to be able to critically categorise content. The Lie Detectors events help Bocholt schoolchildren to develop a conscious and reflective approach to media", says Mayor Christian Mangen. Jan-Bernd Lepping, headmaster of the Euregio-Gymnasium, emphasises: "The Lie Detectors fit perfectly into the school's prevention programme". At the Euregio-Gymnasium, media skills are taught as an important building block of knowledge.

Media literacy as important as reading and writing

"In the digital age, media literacy is just as essential a basic skill as reading or writing and is a prerequisite for forming a free, well-founded opinion", says Juliane von Reppert-Bismarck, founder and managing director of Lie Detectors. "We are delighted to be able to continue our collaboration with the city of Bocholt on this important topic", she explains. The school visits in Bocholt will take place around International Press Freedom Day as part of the nationwide #PressefreiheitMachtSchule campaign organised by the Journalismus macht Schule association.

About Lie Detectors

Lie Detectors was founded in 2017 and is an independent, multi-award-winning European organisation that promotes media literacy and teaches children and teachers to navigate the digital information landscape critically and safely. To this end, it empowers school communities to scrutinise online content and explains the principles of professional journalism.

Lie Detectors' commitment to promoting democracy-enhancing media skills in Europe is based on three central pillars: comprehensive empowerment of pupils and teachers, scientific impact analyses and advice for political decision-makers to strengthen democratic resilience. Lie Detectors is philanthropically funded and receives EU funding for individual projects.

Mrs Julia Kuttner from Lie Detectors can provide information at julia.kuttner(at)lie-detectors(dot)org. EUROPE DIRECT Bocholt is happy to organise the format for other schools at europe-direct(at)bocholt(dot)de.

About the EUROPE DIRECT Bocholt

EUROPE DIRECT Bocholt is part of the mayor's office of the city of Bocholt and is the local contact point for questions relating to the European Union. Its task is to provide local citizens with information, advice, help and answers to questions about Europe. In addition, EUROPE DIRECT Bocholt aims to promote European involvement and provide information on current European political events.