Whether people have access to new technologies or not, Media Literacy is still necessary!

"Media and information literate cities (MIL Cities) are smart, sustainable cities. They enable citizens to make better use of the practical possibilities a connected city can provide, and engage more creatively, critically and effectively in it". #mediadev spoke to UNESCO’s Alton Grizzle.

#mediadev: The focus of the 7th Global MIL Week is on a big MIL cities campaign. What does it mean? 

It is a collective idea ofUNESCOand our partners to innovate MIL learning. The strategy is hoped to be twofold. First, how can we look beyond the training modalities of workshops, online courses, classrooms, etc. Second, who are the other non-traditional stakeholders that we should include in creative MIL learning? The thinking is: what can be done for people to acquire MIL competencies in their interactions with transportation systems, entertainment and health industry, municipalities, etc.? The hope is to take MIL to all aspects of city life, to the streets and countryside. 

Cities, as used here, is a metaphor, representing all forms of local government as centers of power. The focus is then not only on cities. By ‘’cities” reference is made to local authorities and other private and public organizations/institutions instrumental to community life. Rural communities are thus not excluded from becoming MIL Cities. It is a big vision of many partners. 

#mediadev: MIL is a global topic. Does this have any impact on Global MIL Week?

FromUNESCO’s vantage point, we would suggest that the groundswell is happening both ways. On the one hand, global advocacy movements like Global MIL Week helps to create awareness and link-up a multiplicity of initiatives to create momentum. On the other hand, social phenomenon such as disinformation and radicalization draw attention to the solutions that existed long before these social challenges started to balloon. We must then continue our collective actions for MIL also to be not only a global topic but for MIL to be placed on the international development agenda. This implies articulating national policies, organizational policies, and thus stimulating the necessary funding at the national, regional and global levels. 

#mediadev: How does the digital divide affect MIL approaches? 

For UNESCO, MIL was the never the reserve of only those who have access to technologies. Whether people have access or not, MIL is still necessary. For those who do not have access to information, media, and technology, MIL will enlighten them to understand why not and how this hinders their human rights. MIL also helps them to embrace the positive changes of new access to information and technologies without getting lost in them. For those who already have access, MIL helps them to understand the regulatory environments that must exist to sustain their access and how to use information and technology as well as engage with media for sustainable development, tolerance, and peace. It is for this reason, UNESCO advocates for the integration of information, media and technological competencies in MIL. Such an approach negates a focus on one way to impart MIL competencies or on only one aspect of these competencies. In the end, MIL can stir greater change in the lives of people. Consider for instance that one can teach about access, critical thinking and production of information and media content in the context of history, culture, and tolerance in the absence of technologies. 

#Mediadev: What are the most important steps to be taken to strengthen media literacy globally?

Moving forward, we need consensus among MIL experts and practitioners on what MIL is. It would offer more clarity to policymakers. We cannot ignore the need for national policies and the integration of MIL in national competency frameworks. There is a place for an International Institute on MIL. Youth must be part of the leadership of MIL development and not only beneficiaries. More investment should be made in measuring MIL. In that connection, more empirical research should be undertaken as evidence of the impact of MIL to enable policy development.  The power of networking and collaboration to strengthen MIL globally cannot be overstated. We are on a threshold of a new era for MIL. History will judge our responses to the new opportunities before us to empower critical minds.