Laszlo Katona is an assistant professor for the School of English and American Studies at Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest. In this role, he coordinates the “English language in the media” specialization for English Studies BA students. He delivers courses in audiovisual translation, electronic media, performing and presentation skills and English for Specific Purposes (ESP). He holds a PhD in English applied linguistics. His major goal as an English professor and ESL teacher is to promote the importance of foreign language learning and education.

2023 IVLP Impact Award Project: Teachers Fighting Against Fake News

The project informed teachers on media literacy through a three-day training course. Sessions focused on critical thinking, digital intelligence, and combatting fake news, Fellow IVLP Impact Awardee Tetiana Konovalenko conducted a training on war-related fake news. Participants brainstormed three products that could be used to share the knowledge they gained from the training.

As part of the IVLP Impact Awards Alumni Discussion Series panel on “Sustainable Community Impact,” Laszlo moderated a panel discussion with other Awardees who implemented both 2022 and 2023 IIA projects  You can read more about it here.

"As a teacher trainer I would like to have as many lighthouses in our country as possible." - Laszlo Katona

2022 IVLP Impact Award Project: War or Special Military Operation - Helping Youth Take Up Arms Against Fake News

A 3-day training session was conducted for 15 university students on the possible ways to fight fake news, with special focus on the false media coverage of the Russian-Ukrainian war. By promoting media literacy and the negative impact of fake news, the project provided a clearer understanding of the Mid-Asia geopolitical situation, specifically focused on Russia and its bordering countries.  Six workshops were delivered by three internationally acknowledged trainers with expertise in their field.  

IVLP Exchange Experience

Laszlo participated in the IVLP Project 21st Century ChangeMakers: Engaging Youth in the Battle Against Disinformation in 2021 and 2022, organized by the U.S. Department of State and CRDF Global, in partnership with Global Ties Alabama, Global Ties Sacramento, Global Ties Akron, Cleveland Council on World Affairs, and International House.

Laszlo's exchange experience led him to develop his IVLP Impact Award Project: "[My 2022] project confirmed my conviction that media outlets should work with unbiased honesty. This cannot always be guaranteed, so instead, we have to educate our communities to be able to differentiate between the different versions of realities that media outlets convey to them."

U.S. Communities Visited in 2022

Birmingham, AL; Washington, DC; Pensacola, FL; Atlanta, GA

U.S. Communities Visited Virtually in 2021

Birmingham, AL; Washington, DC; Pensacola, FL; Atlanta, GA

Country of Origin: Hungary

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