Media and Information Literacy

About Media and Information Literacy

Media and Information Literacy (MIL)

Media and Information Literacy (MIL) is defined as the ability to access, analyze, create and reflect on media. It is a prerequisite for citizens to claim their rights to freedom of information and expression. DW Akademie creates innovative projects that promote these rights and empower people to understand and use media responsibly. Find out more about our MIL activities around the world.

Our Media and Information Literacy (MIL) approach in theory and practice

DW Akademie’s Media and Information Literacy projects tackle the current contamination of the public sphere with misinformation, hate speech and online threats.

Interactive lessons on Media and Information Literacy

Want more media literacy at school? Here are five lessons we learned

When it comes to preparing youngsters for today's complex information environment, schools play an important role. How can media literacy be best integrated in their curricula and routines?

Five tips for teaching MIL

Moldawien | Lehrer nehmen Teil an Medienkompetenz- und Informationstraining

Media and information literacy is a vast field and it can be overwhelming for those who are new to the topic. DW Akademie trainer Evaldas Rupkus shares his top tips for teaching MIL.

Publications on MIL

DW Akademie's publications on Media and Information Literacy

Publications on Media and Information Literacy 03.12.2020

Mexican MIL Heroes defeat the Villains

Meet the Mexican characters who embody the challenges of our media landscape and the skills we need to tackle them. The realities the Heroes confront are closely related to the Mexican context.

Training citizens to become MIL Heroes

DW Akademie flashcard showing a girl walking down a narrow street. She looks concerned as advertisements for different social media platforms flash at her.

DW Akademie works with partners to provide information and media literacy training in more than 23 countries. Everyone can become a MIL hero and learn to navigate our increasingly complex media ecosystem.

From our projects

"AMI Lab" in Guatemala: An escape room in a minivan

Learning to uncover misinformation while having fun: that's the goal of the "AMI Lab" escape room.

Jordanien Projekt MIL goes viral der DW Akademie

MIL goes viral: The "Strong News" app in Jordan

How do young people distinguish news from misinformation? In Jordan, youth developed a fun app for their peers to learn how to verify and assess information

MIL goes viral: The app "Guardian of the Planet"

In the Palestinian territories, youth have developed an app for their peers. The innovative game teaches their counterparts about climate change and how to deal critically with the media.

"Media and Information Literacy helps us young Tunisians develop important skills”

Projekt der DW Akademie in Tunesien “MIL goes viral”

As part of “MIL goes viral”, a DW Akademie project, young Tunisians are developing social media content to teach peers about Media and Information Literacy. Two participants say they’ve learned much about MIL themselves.

Ghana's market roadshow: Media and information literacy for semiliterate users

DW Akademie | Ghana MIL Week event in Accra

Learning how to judge information is at the heart of being a responsible internet user. According to DW Akademie partner Penplusbytes, everyone, regardless of education, can learn to read between the lines.

Get to know the MIL Content Hub - A powerful network in southern Africa

Josephat Tjiho - Acting Director, MiLLi*

"There is a need for synergies and efforts from all stakeholders on MIL. We need to combine our efforts and resources to better address media and information literacy."
Get to know the MIL Content Hub - A powerful network in southern Africa

Claudia Maritshane - Senior Educator officer

"We need to bring in different media that will assist in curriculum development. Training teachers on how to use media and being able to use it successfully."
Get to know the MIL Content Hub - A powerful network in southern Africa

Yang Wang - Media, Communications & Information Junior Professional

"Media and Information Literacy should be built into the school curriculum, not just in subjects about media but also in other fields to enhance their dimensions and instill a sense of critical thinking in learners."
Get to know the MIL Content Hub - A powerful network in southern Africa

Mathilde Hinanifa - Media Practitioner

"We need to branch out of the office and have media facilitators in rural towns. Different media platforms that suit different towns, people & cultures."
Get to know the MIL Content Hub - A powerful network in southern Africa

Nonhlanhla Phakamile Khumalo - Public & Media skills development Manager

"There is a lot of important work being done around MIL in the different countries. What we need is to combine our efforts and deepen our multistakeholders' approach to have regional reach."
Get to know the MIL Content Hub - A powerful network in southern Africa

O’neil Mbofwana - Content creator

"We need to create networks on creative and innovative ways of sharing MIL to ensure access for all, regardless of literacy levels, age, group or location."
Get to know the MIL Content Hub - A powerful network in southern Africa

David Moepeng - Founder & Director, Cybersmart Botswana

"We live in an era where interaction with media dominates most people’s daily lives. MIL should therefore be prioritized in formal education and public awareness programs so as to promote meaningful use and engagement through media."
Get to know the MIL Content Hub - A powerful network in southern Africa

Moses Kaunda - District Civic education officer

"We need to make MIL available in a variety of social media platforms internationally and create more demand for it by making it more relevant."