What is media and information literacy? (Basic meaning)

In order to be able to properly manage and select information, we need media and information literacy. No one was born with such skills; nor do they occur automatically, so they need to be nurtured. It should be emphasized that the emergence of new technologies and forms of media does not mean that the concept of media and information literacy is fundamentally changing.

According to UNESCO, empowering people to access relevant, impartial information and knowledge and promoting free, independent and diverse media and information systems through media and information literacy is essential. Media and information literacy is about freedom of expression and information and its primary task is to empower citizens to understand the functions of the media and other information providers, to critically evaluate their content, as well as to make informed decisions as consumers and creators of information and media. Traditionally, media literacy and information literacy have been separated, but UNESCO has combined the two. This includes all forms of media and other sources of information, such as libraries, archives, museums, the use of independent Internet technologies (http://www.unesco.org/new/en/communication-and-information/capacity-building-tools / media-and-information-literacy /)

Citizens in a Mediated World provides a schema to help understand what media and information literacy (MIL) is. You can read more about the interpretation and understanding of the scheme in the publication. There is a need to develop a variety of debates on media literacy perceptions, as modern fundamental values ​​- democracy, peace, economics, human well-being – are affected by the media.