The United Nations (UN)’s Global Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Week is annually observed across the globe from 24th to 31st October to create awareness and celebrate the progress achieved towards Media and Information Literacy(MIL) for all.
- 2024 marks the observance of the 13th Global MIL Week.
- The annual observance of the week is led by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Theme:
The theme of Global Media and Information Literacy Week 2024 is “The new digital frontiers of information: Media and Information Literacy for public-interest information”.
Background:
i.The annual Global Media and Information Literacy Week was initiated in 2012 as a collaborative effort led by UNESCO in partnership with the UNESCO MIL Alliance, formerly known as the Global Alliance for Partnerships on Media and Information Literacy (GAPMIL), United Nations Alliance of Civilization (UNAOC), and the Media and Information Literacy and Intercultural Dialogue (MILID) University Network.
ii.In 2018, The proposal to proclaim 24-31 October as Global Media and Information Literacy Week was presented by Ghana, Jamaica and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and examined by the UNESCO Executive Board at its 205th session (205 EX/Decision 34).
iii.In 2019, the UNESCO General Conference proclaimed a Global Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Week to be observed from 24 to 31 October each year.
What is MIL?
i.MIL encompasses various competencies that enable individuals and groups to navigate today’s information and communications environment. It covers a large spectrum of knowledge, skills, attitudes and values to better search, access, critically evaluate, use and contribute to information and media content.
ii.This will play a major role in addressing the proliferation of mis- and disinformation and hate speech, the decline of trust in media and the transformative impact of digital innovations notably Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Conference 2024:
The Global Media and Information Literacy Week Conference 2024 was hosted by the UNESCO and the Hashemite Kingdom from 30th to 31st October 2024 in Amman, Jordan.
- The conference addressed the impact of emerging technologies like Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) and the new generation of digital content creators on the production and dissemination of public-interest information, highlighting both opportunities and risks.
Global MIL Youth Hackathon:
Global Media and Information Literacy Week Youth Hackathon 2024 is an integral component of the Global MIL Week.
- This provides a platform for youth participation and engagement to harness innovation and youth-led initiatives to respond to the Week’s theme.
- The winning teams were invited to Amman, Jordan, on October 30 and 31 to present their projects during the closing ceremony of the Global MIL Week Feature Conference.
#PostWithCare campaign:
UNESCO launched the #PostWithCare campaign on 24th October 2024 to encourage social media users and digital content creators around the globe to think critically about their online presence.
- This aims to empower individuals to navigate safely the digital landscape.
Points to note:
i.The Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas has developed the course “Digital Content Creators and Journalists: How to Be a Trusted Voice Online” to equip users with the skills and knowledge required for safely navigating digital information.
ii.Around 56% of people use social media to stay informed about current events.
iii.More than 50% of people trust news and information provided on social media feeds.
About United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO):
Director-General(DG)– Audrey Azoulay
Headquarters– Paris, France
Established– 1945.
