Young Activists' Communicative Practices of Resilience: The Challenge of Disinformation Toward the 2024 European Elections

This article presents findings from a qualitative study on the communicative practices of young Italian activists during the lead-up to the 2024 European elections. Specifically, the study examines the phenomenon of disinformation and its potential to disrupt the electoral campaign, highlighting the active participation of civil society in the political process and their ability to navigate disinformation can significantly influence the strength and resilience of Europe. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with members of youth organizations, both informal and institutionalized. The results show that highly educated and civically engaged young people use digital tools and hybrid media ecosystems to promote critical, transnational debates. Resilience emerges as a relational capacity rooted in the socio-political context, where youth activism develops alternative discursive spaces to counter democratic erosion. A key insight is the educational role assumed by these activists: in response to perceived institutional shortcomings, they act as informal educators, informing and mobilizing peers. This role contributes to reinforcing democratic values and fostering a more resilient European public sphere.

本研究呈现了一项质性研究的成果，该研究聚焦2024年欧洲议会选举筹备期间意大利青年活动家的传播实践。具体而言，本研究考察了虚假信息（disinformation）现象及其破坏选举进程的潜在可能，同时凸显了民间社会对政治进程的积极参与——其应对虚假信息的能力可显著影响欧洲的韧性与整体实力。研究采用半结构化访谈（semi-structured interview）法，对非正式与制度化青年组织的成员展开调研。研究结果显示，受教育程度较高且积极参与公民事务的青年群体，借助数字工具与混合型媒体生态系统，推动批判性跨国辩论的开展。韧性作为一种植根于社会政治语境的关系性能力，在青年行动主义中体现为：后者通过构建替代性话语空间，抵御民主式微。本研究的一项核心发现在于，此类活动家承担了教育者角色：针对感知到的制度性缺陷，他们以非正式教育者的身份，向同辈群体传递信息并动员其参与行动。该角色有助于强化民主价值观，并助力构建更具韧性的欧洲公共领域。