Media and Information Literacy (MIL)

As part of SAAME's advocation of education about the media, we support the global efforts of UNESCO in promoting the understanding of media and information (some links below), and consider them a useful teaching resource.

In an ever-increasing world of blatent and disguised advertising, disinformation and misinformation (propaganda, alternative facts, crazy opinions presented as facts, misunderstandings, and arrant nonsense), and platforms that allow people to be “influencers” about things that they know nothing about, it's important to know that not everything you hear is correct.  To realise that it's necessary to critically analyse the information you're been fed, to develop the skills needed to search out the truth, and spot a con.

Is the news story that you're watching giving you the whole story, or a blinkered view?  Is it distorting the truth in a way that's unfair, or even subverting justice?  The same can be said about press statements from officials:  Are you being deceived?  Is something that will seriously affect your life being trivialised?  Is important information being pushed away from scrutiny with a distraction?  Is the product review that you're reading giving you an honest appraisal, or is it a fake review that's actually an advert from the product's creator?

How would you know?  Did you notice it?  How would you find out what you're not being told?

Links

• Media and Information Literacy
  https://www.unesco.org/en/media-information-literacy

  “UNESCO supports the development of Media and Information Literacy and Digital Competencies for all to enable people’s ability to engage critically with information, navigate the online environment safely and responsibly and ensure there can be trust in our information ecosystem and in digital technologies.

  “Media and Information Literacy provides a set of essential skills to address the challenges of the 21st century including the proliferation of mis- and disinformation and hate speech, the decline of trust in media and digital innovations notably Artificial Intelligence.”

• Media and Information Literacy Alliance
  https://www.unesco.org/en/media-information-literacy/alliance

  “UNESCO Media and Information Literacy Alliance is a network of networks dedicated to fostering international collaboration to advance Media and Information Literacy for all. With an expanding presence in over one hundreds countries the impact of this initiative is on the rise.”

• Global Media and Information Literacy (GMIL) Week (end of October, annually)
  https://www.unesco.org/en/weeks/media-information-literacy

  “Global Media and Information Literacy Week is an annual event observed from 24th to 31st October to raise awareness and celebrate the progress achieved towards Media and Information Literacy for all.

  “During Global Media and Information Literacy Week, stakeholders around the world organize events and UNESCO co-hosts with a Member State the global conference gathering the Media and Information Literacy community.”