Podcast

MELISE Podcast: A Media Literacy podcast for Senior European Citizens

In an increasingly digital world, media literacy is essential for fostering active citizenship, strengthening democracy, and developing critical thinking skills. The MELISE Podcast is part of the MELISE project, which empowers senior citizens with the knowledge and tools to navigate the vast landscape of digital and media platforms. By addressing the unique challenges faced by this demographic, MELISE promotes inclusivity and ensures that seniors remain engaged, informed, and active participants in today’s digital society.

Each monthly episode (released on the last Wednesday of the month) features in-depth conversations with academics, trainers, and senior citizens from across Europe. Through expert insights and personal experiences, we explore the impact of media on daily life, debunk misinformation, and provide practical strategies for digital engagement.

The podcast is proudly multilingual, reflecting the diversity of our audience and guests. Episodes are available in English, Italian, German, Spanish, Portuguese, and Greek, ensuring accessibility and cultural relevance.

Tune in, stay informed, and become a critical media consumer with the MELISE Podcast!

Join us to discover inspiring stories, best practices, and fresh insights that bridge media literacy, education, and active citizenship across Europe.

EP1. Interview to Silvia Triboni

Silvia Triboni is a trainer in the field of media literacy who has worked with seniors for a Brazilian magazine that promoted training for seniors in Portugal, as well as working for Stopidadismo, a Portuguese association that sensitizes against the prejudice towards elder people and certificates age friendly employers. With Silvia we’ve learned how to work with seniors on preventing desinformation and how to adapt to different publics and their media literacy needs.

EP2. Interview to Chiara Cremonini

26/2/25
Dataninja
Language: English

Chiara Cremonini is a process facilitator at Housatonic, in Bologna, and describes her work as ‘listening, understanding, and connecting’ people. This approach was central to her role in the project SUM (Seniors United against Disinformation), focused on developing media literacy skills for seniors in Europe. Cremoni recruited senior volunteers and designed and coordinated the training activities in Italy, where the project represents a great novelty since the country lacks media literacy for the elderly. With Cremonini, we learnt the importance of the peer-to-peer learning and needs-based approach with seniors, understanding how to respond to their information needs.

EP3. Interview to Dr. Maria Sourbati

26/3/24
AUTH
Language: English

Beyond Digital Natives: Tackling Ageism and Inclusion with Maria Sourbati

In this episode of the MeLISe podcast, we talk with Professor Maria Sourbati about the evolving landscape of media literacy for older adults. Drawing on over 20 years of research and policy engagement, she discusses the challenges of digital and social exclusion, the myths surrounding ageing and technology, and the urgent need to rethink digital inclusion strategies. From critiquing AI-driven “solutionism” to spotlighting grassroots initiatives like Digital Brighton & Hove, Sourbati emphasizes that media literacy is not just about skills—it’s about equity, access, and social support. This episode unpacks why meaningful media literacy must be lifelong, inclusive, and grounded in the realities of ageing populations.

EP4.  Interview to DIANA BANFI

30/4/24
Grey Panthers
Language: Italian

Diana Banfi, a clever over-70s woman whom we have known for many years, also for professional reasons, and with whom we now share various moments of cultural activities. It is not the first time that we have involved Diana in Grey Panthers activities. Diana has a good relationship with both information (she goes out early in the morning every day to buy the newspaper) and digital, of which she knows many aspects. She is a very active grandmother, much appreciated by her grandchildren who consult her for their schoolwork.

EP5. Interview to Lukas Schega

28/5/24
IDYL Lernen
Language: German

​​Interview with Lukas Schega. He is an employee of the Baden-Württemberg State Media Centre in Germany. Together with city and district media centres at around 50 locations in the state, the LMZ forms the media centre network. This means that competent contacts for media education are available directly on site throughout Baden-Württemberg. This network offers educational and technical advice and further training. Mr Schega is a media educator and worked for Medienprojekt Wuppertal, among others. Today he works as a trainer in the field of media education for senior citizens at the LMZ. He focuses on the following programmes: ‘Healthy and Digital in Rural Areas’ and the ‘Senior Media Mentor Programme’. He tells us about his experiences in practical work with seniors, about the obstacles and opportunities of media education, about the best ways of communication to address seniors in both urban and rural areas and the perspectives for the future.

EP6. Interview with Eduardo García Blasco and Elena Martínez Piedra

26/6/24
UNED
Language: English

Eduardo García Blázquez is an expert in Education, Health Education, and AI-based Learning, with a strong academic background including a PhD (DEA) in Computer Engineering and Telecommunications from UAM. He also holds a Master’s in Education and Communication from UNED, an MBA from Henley Business School, and specialized training in E-Marketing and Social Media from UFV.

Much of his work focuses on working with the elderly, aiming to improve their quality of life through education and health initiatives. Currently, he serves as Market Manager of Ostomy Care at Coloplast Spain, developing solutions for people with special needs related to cancer and ostomies. Eduardo’s multidisciplinary expertise combines technology, health, and education to create meaningful impact for vulnerable communities.

EP7. Interview to Miguel Ángel De La Cruz

26/6/24
Cosicosa
Language: English

Miguel Ángel De la Cruz is a retired topographer whose current activities focus on hiking, being a grandfather, and helping others by moving furniture across Spain and supporting those in need. Because he loves topography, his camera and GPS are always with him when he travels. He uses his computer to transfer maps and the content he captures.

He’s experiencing the digital barrier, as he’s frustrated by not being able to go to a bank or certain shops in person to ask questions. We spoke with him about a recent phishing episode and asked for his suggestions on how others can avoid it.

EP8. Interview to Vassilios Dedigdelis

29/10/25
AUTH (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki)
Language: Griego

In this episode of the MeLISe podcast, we talk with Professor Emeritus Vassilios Dedigdelis from the University of Macedonia about his pioneering experience with digital literacy at a time when the concept was still emerging in Greece. Drawing on his extensive academic and professional background, Professor Dedigdelis reflects on the challenges he faced throughout his career, the evolving needs that digital literacy seeks to address, and the steps required to ensure that citizens are adequately informed and empowered in today’s rapidly changing digital environment. His insights highlight the importance of sustained education, public awareness, and inclusive access in fostering a digitally literate society.