VOL. 2 NO. 5 - MAY 31,2021

UNESCO MIL ALLIANCE
N E WS U P D A T E
EDITORIAL
STRENGTHENING PRESS FREEDOM AND ACCOUNTABILITY WITH
MEDIA AND INFORMATION LITERACYWith the theme “Information as a Public Good,” World Press Freedom Day 2021 emphasized
the importance of enhancing media and information literacy (MIL) to empower people toprotect and defend journalism as an important part of information as a public good.
Media and information literate individuals are able to effectively access, analyze, criticallyevaluate, interpret, use, create, and disseminate information and media content, throughcreative, legal, and ethical means, using appropriate channels and tools.
These competencies therefore enable people to understand and appreciate the role of afree, independent, and transparent press that holds power to account, keeps the public
informed, provides a platform for people’s voices, and facilitates discussions on matters ofpublic interest. At the same time, MIL empowers citizens to demand reliable information,independence, transparency, and accountability from the media.
Efforts to increase MIL around the world were discussed during World Press Freedom Day
2021 activities. As MIL initiatives multiply, however, new challenges continue to emerge.
Misinformation and disinformation are among the problems that persist globally, and themechanisms for spreading false information have become increasingly sophisticated,
especially on the internet. This “infodemic” adds another layer of complexity to the challengeof addressing the COVID-19 pandemic, as it has made it more difficult for the public toaccess reliable health information.
Another related challenge is the economic viability of the media, another sub-theme tackled
in this year’s World Press Freedom Day activities. With the shutdown of news outlets indifferent parts of the world, whether for economic or political reasons, it is the people whosuffer the consequences of losing credible information sources.
The decline in public trust in the media, the reliance on social media platforms as
information sources, and attacks on the credibility of news outlets and journalists areequally urgent issues that require continuous research and attention.
More MIL initiatives are needed as different countries face these complex, interconnectedproblems. There is a need for continuous multisectoral and community-based efforts toeducate citizens about the importance of the press and the role of the public in ensuring thesustainability and accountability of the news media, as they protect press freedom andcontinue to demand quality journalism.
Jose Reuben Q. Alagaran II, PhD

Regional Representative of the Asia-Pacific Chapter, UNESCO Media and Information Literacy Alliance
President Emeritus, Philippine Association for Media and Information Literacy (PAMIL)

NEWS
1. UNESCO's New MIL Model Curriculum Launched. The second edition of UNESCO's MIL
Model Curriculum was launched during the international high level event, "Media andInformation Literate Citizens: Think Critically Click Wisely!" held recently. To know more
about the new MIL Curriculum and the event, please visit
https://en.unesco.org/news/media-and-information-literate-citizens-think-criticallyclick-wisely.
2. Conversations with Asian MIL Experts Held. The UNESCO MIL Alliance Asia-Pacific
Chapter, in cooperation with the Philippine Association for Media and Information
Literacy (PAMIL), held its webinar with Asian MIL experts with the theme "MIL and Press
Freedom" last May 8. The guests included Prof. Ramon Tuazon (Philippines), Dr.
Sabariah Mohamed Salleh (Malaysia), Prof. Jun Sakamoto (Japan) and Dr. Kyoko
Murakami (Japan). Related information on the event is available in this link
https://www.facebook.com/107220347346018/videos/193878872453987.
3. IFLA Conducts Webinar on Digital Fatigue. The IFLA Africa Section Standing
Committee proudly hosted a panel discussion on the subject of "Digital Fatigue,
InfoDemic and Meta Literacy", last May 14. The panellists included Rachel Fischer (SouthAfrica), Collence Chisita (South Africa) and Sarah Kaddu (Uganda). Forty participantsjoined across Africa and engaged in discussion on digital wellness, digital hygiene,
emotional diets, infobesity, and the management of information consumption.
4. Critical Thinking in Video Games Webinar Conducted. The webinar, “DigitalPlaygrounds: young gamers and critical thinking: How video games can foster criticalthinking in children” was developed by Games For Impact and Indigames Poland, withSherri Hope Culver as guest speaker. Available to stream athttps://centermil.org/2021/04/09/digital-playgrounds-webinar/
5. NAMLE Conference Now Accepts Applicants. Attend the virtual conference for theNational Association for Media Literacy Education. July 16-18, 2021. Details availablehere: https://namleconference.net/
6. World Press Freedom Day 2021 Celebrated. UNESCO convened the Asia PacificRegional Forum to discuss the sub-themes of World Press Freedom Day 2021: Media
viability, transparency of online platforms, and media and information literacy in theregion. The moderated discussions brought out experiences and insights from New
Zealand, Myanmar, India, South Korea, Indonesia, and Thailand.

NEWS
7. Global Media and Information Literacy 2021 Event Planning Underway. UNESCO
has started planning for this year’s Global Media and Information Literacy Weekcelebration. The global theme will be announced soon. Please read the report for
Global Media and Information Literacy Week 2020 here,
https://en.unesco.org/commemorations/globalmilweek.
8. Media and Information Literacy (MIL) and Journalism Handbook Now Off the Press.
Check out the UNESCO Media and Information Literacy in Journalism: A handbook forjournalists and journalism educators,
https://en.unesco.org/sites/default/files/mil_eng.pdf. The handbook includes bothpractical and theoretical material, as well as exercises, case studies and practical tools
to help promote a deeper understanding and to support its translation into practice. The
handbook deals with the notion of ’fake news’ and disinformation, provides a conceptual
framework for media and information literacy underlining its relevance and importancefor journalism, as well as explores principles and roles of media and information literacy
in journalism education.
9. Cambridge University Lauds UNESCO Campaign Against Misinformation. Cambridge
University research confirms that UNESCO’s #ThinkBeforeSharing infographics areeffective in that they increased people’s perception of the manipulation related tomisinformation, increased their confidence in spotting misinformation, and reduced theirreported willingness to share it. Read more here, https://en.unesco.org/news/qainoculating-against-covid-19-misinformation and see more infographics for download
and sharing here,
https://en.unesco.org/covid19/communicationinformationresponse/visualresources.
Join us on MIL CLICKS for more https://en.unesco.org/MILCLICKS .
MEET THE UNESCO MIL ALLIANCE ISC
https://en.unesco.org/themes/media-and-informationliteracy/gapmil/isc
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MEDIA AND INFORMATION LITERACY ALLIANCE?

To join, visit and contact the steering committee,
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If you would like to offer an editorial to the MIL Alliance UPDATE
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UNESCOALTON GRIZZLE, PROGRAMME SPECIALIST IN MEDIA AND
INFORMATION
a.grizzle@unesco.org