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

The ability to access, use and create media responsibly empowers people to make their voices heard and participate in societal debates. It is fundamental for citizens to realize their human right to freedom of expression. DW Akademie’s Media and Information Literacy projects tackle the current contamination of the public sphere with misinformation, hate speech and online threats. 

They enable people to make independent decisions based on reliable facts and constructive dialogue. With the necessary skills and confidence, citizens can shape the world they live in for the better. 

MIL is a prerequisite for freedom of expression 

MIL is a prerequisite for freedom of expression, access to information and democratic societies. Citizens not only need the skills to access reliable information and to judge if it is true or false but also the confidence to act as responsible digital citizens and shape the world they live in for the better — now more than ever. This is a crucial time to promote MIL: The COVID-19 pandemic not only highlighted how essential it is for people to have access to reliable and trustworthy information, but it also underlined that a lack of MIL skills might put whole societies and the physical health of people in danger. 

MIL projects around the world 

DW Akademie, together with strong local partners, is working on MIL in more than 29 countries around the world. We use a range of different approaches. For example: 

• Training MIL multipliers to support non-formal education 

• Furthering MIL in formal education by bringing MIL into curricula and extra-curricular activities, as well as teacher training 

• Creating media content, using interactive methods and developing innovative MIL games 

• Advocating for MIL in national and international networks 

Download our flyer on our media and information literacy approach and projects below.

In Mexico, El Salvador and Guatemala, DW Akademie is using playful methods to advance young people's skills to tackle misinformation and hate speech online, for example with a mobile MIL strategy game. In El Salvador, students produce social media content about digital safety and misinformation. For the first time, MIL is part of the school curricula in Guatemala, where the project uses creative approaches to reach indigenous youths, teachers and students in remote areas. 

DW Akademie’s work in Moldova focuses on mainstreaming MIL in both formal and non-formal education. Together with six partners ranging from NGOs to local newsrooms to education institutions, we enable Moldovan children and youths to learn and practice MIL at school and beyond. Through teacher training, MIL is offered as an elective subject, while school competitions, quizzes, MIL cafes and influencer networks help youths carry over their competencies into everyday life.