Media and Information Literacy

Media and Information Literacy (MIL), defined as the ability to access, analyze, and create media, is a prerequisite for citizens to realize their rights to freedom of information and expression. A rights-based approach is pursued to define MIL in general, and Digital Media and Information Literacy (DMIL) in particular. Different projects initiated by DW Akademie are drawn on to show the importance of the aspects of creation and engagement. They illustrate that various stakeholders need to be involved so that citizens can critically access, use, and participate in the flow of information on a broad scale.

Media development supports MIL projects because they help people make their own choices and realize their human rights. To achieve this, MIL projects may include training and skill-oriented workshops. But they need to work on other levels, too, and support structural reforms on behalf of informed and active citizens.

The Authors

• Jan Lublinski, Head Research and Evaluation, DW Akademie

• Dennis Reineck, Project Manager Research and Evaluation, DW Akademie

Read "Media and Information Literacy: A human rights-based approach in developing countries" on ISSUU or download the pdf-file.