“Do you choose the relationship or the truth?” A psychologist’s advice during times of political and social turmoil
During election periods, Romanian society becomes fertile ground for conflict. Debates escalate, friendships fall apart, and entire families split into opposing camps. But why does this happen? And more importantly, how can we maintain balance and preserve relationships in the midst of this polarization?
Germany: Drastic Rise in Politically Motivated Crimes
In recent years, Germany has seen a worrying rise in radicalization among youth, encompassing both far-right and far-left ideologies. This growing trend raises serious questions about the country’s political stability.
Germany: Radical magazine allowed again. Media freedom cited as argument
A German administrative court in Leipzig has temporarily lifted the ban on publishing the magazine Compact, reasoning that although there is evidence the publication violated human dignity, the principle of press freedom takes precedence.
Gamifying Nationalism: The AfD and the Politics of Emotional Belonging
Welcome to TikTok Nationalism: a flawless face, a beat drop, and the caption “Germany for the Germans.” Alice Weidel’s speech remixed with synthwave, AI avatars, and shadowy migrant clips. Politics has left parliament for the infinite scroll, where propaganda wears lip gloss and vibes. The AfD doesn’t campaign—it performs. Ultrantionalism becomes aesthetic, identity over ideology. As Marcus Bösch calls it: slopaganda—low-res, emotional, made to go viral. In this gamified nationalism, belief is optional. Just hit share.
Navigating the maze: Misinformation and the European Union in the digital age
In an era of instant content and algorithm-driven feeds, distinguishing truth from fiction is no longer just a matter of personal curiosity — it’s a civic duty. For the European Union, this presents a unique challenge.
Beyond the Headline: Navigating the False News Minefield
In today’s world, figuring out whether a news article - or even just a social media post - is real or false has become incredibly tough.
AI Art to Combat Disinformation: Ioana, the Young Artist Fighting Back with Creativity
"We have a nuclear plant, we understand its power, and we need to know how bad it would be if it went boom!" - Ioana Chereș, a PhD student from Cluj-Napoca, creates art using technology to fight disinformation.
Toxic social media content affects girls in Romania
In March, a month dedicated to women and their value in society, World Vision Romania draws attention to a growing phenomenon affecting more and more girls and young women: constant exposure to toxic content on social media.
Human smuggling like pizza delivery. Telegram — a haven for dealers and terrorists?
The paper-plane logo of the Telegram app is no longer just a familiar sight on the smartphones of Russians, Ukrainians, or Kazakhs. For some, it’s a space to chat with friends or follow their favorite influencers. For others, it’s a place to buy drugs—or even sabotage a weapons shipment to Ukraine.
