Cross-cultural media literacy interventions: comparing Gali Fakta and Harmony Square in Indonesia and the United States

Abstract Media literacy and prebunking interventions have shown promise in enhancing individuals’ ability to identify false information; however, cross-cultural research in this area is limited. This study investigates the effectiveness of two media literacy prebunking games, Gali Fakta and Harmony Square , in improving misinformation discernment among Indonesian and American participants. Gali Fakta , designed specifically for Indonesia, and Harmony Square , aimed at Western audiences, were compared against a Tetris control group. We assessed participants’ ability to evaluate and share news headlines, alongside their subjective engagement levels. The results revealed that Gali Fakta significantly improved sharing discernment among Indonesian participants, though it did not significantly enhance accuracy discernment. In contrast, Harmony Square showed no impact in Indonesia, while both games effectively improved sharing and accuracy discernment in the U.S. Engagement emerged as a critical factor, with higher levels correlating with better discernment across both groups. These findings highlight the significance of cultural relevance and engagement in media literacy interventions, suggesting that tailored prebunking approaches are essential for enhancing misinformation detection across diverse populations.