The Global MIL Week 2022 focuses on trust and solidarity as it relates to people, media, digital platforms, governments, the private sector, and non-governmental organizations. It highlights some promising actions in connection with media and information literacy in the last year and how media and information literacy helps with nurturing trust and countering mistrust.
About 60% of the global population and 70% of youth is using the internet, yet wide-scale and sustainable Media and Information Literacy (MIL) training for all is still missing. The rise of online and offline dis- and misinformation, conspiracy theories, hate speech and misuse of social media thus continue to pose a high threat. In the recent years, trust in government and media has been progressively eroded.
Response to this requires a combination of critical information, media and digital competencies. Studies suggest that citizens have higher resilience to disinformation in countries, where MIL is put in place at a policy level.
UNESCO supports and champions media and information literacy initiatives across the globe. These efforts resulted in 24 countries taking steps to develop national policies and strategies on media and information literacy, carrying out training in close to 100 countries based on the Media and Information Literacy Curriculum, expanding the UNESCO Media and Information Literacy Alliance with members in 113 countries, supporting 300 youth organizations.
Photo courtesy of Basilica.ro / Raluca Emanuela Ene
