In Sweden, March 13 has in several years marked Källkritikens dag – or Source Criticism Day in English. The tradition was established by Viralgranskeren, which was a precursor to NORDIS partner Källkritikbyrån. The marking of Source Criticism Day has since spread to other Nordic countries.
In the Nordic countries, source criticism is an important part of school education and the purpose of Source Criticism Day is to highlight the importance of being critical of information and learning how to navigate an ever-changing information landscape. Perhaps more important than ever.
Source criticism is basically about questioning the information one is presented with. Where does the information come from? Who is the sender? What is the purpose of sharing the information?
In keeping with tradition, Source Criticism Day features a variety of events across the Nordic countries. NORDIS has gathered some of them here, hosted by both NORDIS partners and others.
We wish you a happy Source Criticism Day!
What is happening?
- Internetstiftelsen (SE) and NORDIS partner Källkritikbyrån has organized a free online event with researchers and media literacy experts with the topic “When does digital source criticism work – how it’s done and why is it needed?”. Link here
- The Regional libraries in the Stockholm Region has invited librarians to participate in an after-discussion to the event “When does digital source criticism work – how it’s done and why is it needed?”. Link to the after-discussion
- In Sweden, Internetstiftelsen and Källkritikbyrån will be awarding The Golden Magnifying Glass for the 8th year in a row. You can see all the previous winners here.
The Source Criticism Day is also commemorated in a lot of schools and libraries in Sweden.
- In Norway ‘Tenk’ which is a part of NORDIS partner Faktisk.no have developed their own starter packs. Using these teachers in Norway can mark the day by conducting lessons on source criticism adapted to age, time, and interest. Link to the starter packs here
- University of Bergen (UiB) have arranged a conference with the title ‘Critical skills for tomorrow’s students’. UiB hosts a dedicated day on the role of source criticism in education, featuring talks, discussions, and a panel debate on how to equip future students for a changing digital landscape. Learn more about the event here.
- Faktisk.no hosts their own event focusing on source criticism at Pressens Hus in Norwa with different speakers, for example Kari Nessa Nordtun, kunnskapsminister. The event is invite only.
- NORDIS partner Faktabaari is hosting a panel debate in Helsinki, Finland to mark Source Criticism Day. The topics are “What can you still trust? Will our media literacy keep up with the development of artificial intelligence?”. Read more about the event here, and see the panelists on the event page on Facebook here.