At a time when war is waged not only on the battlefield but also in the information space, the issue of truth becomes a matter of national security. Discussing such a vital topic concerns each of us, as truth is also a weapon.
On April 21, the Scientific Library hosted a motivational meeting for students and faculty of the State Tax University, as well as students of the Irpin Professional College of Economics and Law, with Tamara Markelova, the Editor-in-Chief of Zhinka («Woman») magazine. During the event, the participants discussed:
- the state's information security;
- the impact of fake news and manipulations;
- mechanisms of russian propaganda within the context of the russian-Ukrainian war;
- the role of the media and each individual in countering disinformation.
At the beginning of the meeting, Svitlana Tsymbaliuk, Director of the Scientific Library and organizer of the event, delivered a welcoming speech. In her address, she emphasized the particular relevance of information security in modern society, where information increasingly becomes a tool for influence and manipulation.
The role of the library was highlighted not only as a space for preserving knowledge but also as a hub for developing critical thinking, information culture, and a responsible approach to information consumption. The opening remarks set the tone for the entire subsequent conversation – open, meaningful, and highly relevant.
As part of the event, a thematic book exhibition titled «Truth Under Fire: The Information War Continues» was presented. The exposition brought together publications dedicated to information security, media literacy, countering disinformation, and understanding the modern challenges of hybrid warfare.
The exhibition served as an important complement to the discussion, providing an opportunity to delve deeper into scientific, analytical, and journalistic works that reveal the mechanisms of informational influence and ways to build social resilience against manipulation. It sparked significant interest among participants and became another space for reflection and independent search for answers.
Vasyl Lutsyk, Vice-Rector for Research at the University, also joined the welcoming remarks. In his speech, he focused on the importance of scientific understanding of information warfare phenomena and the role of the academic community in fostering societal resilience to informational threats.
Among the participants, the presence of Volodymyr Mandrahelia, Doctor of Philosophical Sciences, was particularly noteworthy, as his contribution provided an important intellectual focus to the discussion. He drew attention to the nature of hybrid warfare as a complex multi-level phenomenon, where informational influence is often no less dangerous than military actions. Special emphasis was placed on the role of false and manipulative information, which can create a distorted perception of reality and influence public sentiment. Volodymyr Mandrahelia also provided statistical data from sociological surveys demonstrating a high level of population vulnerability to disinformation and an insufficient level of critical thinking in processing information flows. These points organically complemented the general discussion on information security and the «hybrid echo of the empire», highlighting the need to strengthen media literacy and develop a stable informational immunity within society.
A lively and sometimes sharp Q&A session followed. Insightful questions during the meeting helped explore the topic in greater depth.
The students were especially active, not only asking questions but also boldly expressing their own positions. The discussion touched upon a fundamental question: what is more decisive for the state – economy or ideology?
These reflections sparked various, sometimes polar, opinions, adding depth and intensity to the meeting. It was through such open and challenging dialogues that a broader context of the problem was outlined, reflecting the younger generation's demand for an honest, meaningful conversation about the future of the state.
As a result, the meeting proved to be not only informative but truly vibrant – prompting further reflection and discussion.
This meeting provided an opportunity not only to learn more about modern informational challenges but also to practice critical thinking, recognize fakes, and build personal informational resilience.
More photos here
We also invite you to watch a video report about the event at the link: Motivational meeting with Tamara Markelova, Editor-in-Chief of «Zhinka» magazine
