Global Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Week 2022: Raise Awareness in Canada on the Importance of Combating Misinformation

By Harrish Thirukumaran

According to Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture for Nigeria, its federal government says hosting the 2022 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Global Media, Information Literacy, (MIL) Week will help to address the growing trend of fake news, misinformation and hate speech. This was found in a recent news report of the Daily Nigerian.

“Nigeria’s contributions towards the birth and the growth of MIL, especially in the West African Sub-Region, played a large role in UNESCO’s decision to offer our country the right to host this event,” he said.

Mohammed said the theme of 2022 Global MIL week as approved by UNESCO, is:

“Nurturing Trust: A Media and Information Literacy Imperative.

He said the theme highlighted how media and information literacy could help in both nurturing trust and countering mistrust when it comes to the vast sea of information.

From the United Nations (UN) website, in 2021, the General Assembly decided to commemorate Media and Information Literacy (MIL) week, citing the need for the dissemination of factual, timely, targeted, clear, accessible, multilingual and science-based information. It is held from the 24 to 31 October 2020 annually as stated in the resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly. The resolution recognizes that the substantial digital divide and data inequalities that exist among different countries and within them, can be addressed in part by improving people’s competencies to seek, receive and impart information in the digital realm.

In the current ecosystem of complex and sometimes contradictory messages and meanings, it is hard to conceive of the public good being advanced, if the public is disempowered in the face of opportunities and threats. Each individual needs to be equipped with media and information literacy competencies to understand the stakes, and to contribute to and benefit from information and communication opportunities.

Global Media and Information Literacy Week, commemorated annually, is a major occasion for stakeholders to review and celebrate the progress achieved towards “Media and Information Literacy for All.”

The UN explains that Media and Information Literacy seeks to answer the questions that we all ask ourselves at some point. How can we access, search, critically assess, use and contribute content wisely, both online and offline? What are our rights online and offline? What are the ethical issues surrounding the access and use of information? How can we engage with media and information and communications technologies (ICTs) to promote equality, intercultural and interreligious dialogue, peace, freedom of expression and access to information? People across the world, such as here in Canada, are witnessing a dramatic increase in access to information and communication. This is very important considering the quality of information we engage with largely determines our perceptions, beliefs and attitudes. It could be information from other persons, the media, libraries, archives, museums, publishers, or other information providers including those on the Internet.

A great way to get involved in such a cause is to check out the Media Literacy Week hosted by Media Smarts that takes place from October 24 to 28. Media Literacy Week (MLW) is an annual event promoting digital media literacy across Canada, taking place each October. Schools, libraries, museums and community groups organize events and activities throughout the week. More information can be found here on participation: https://mediasmarts.ca/media-literacy-week

So as Nigeria gears up to host this year’s global event, let’s raise awareness here in Canada on the importance of combating misinformation.

Written in October 2022