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October24–31

Global Media and Information Literacy Week – October 24-31, 2024

Global Media and Information Literacy Week is observed from October 24 to 31 every year. This year’s Global Media and Information Literacy Week will be hosted by Nigeria. This day was launched in 2012 by UNESCO with the support of the UNESCO-U.N.A.O.C. Media and Information Literacy and Intercultural Dialogue University Network, and the UNESCO Media and Information Literacy Alliance. It is a huge opportunity for stakeholders to reflect on and celebrate progress in achieving media and information literacy for all.’

History of Global Media and Information Literacy Week

Media and information literacy is defined as the knowledge, attitudes, and set of abilities required to recognize when and what information is required, where and how to access it, how to critically assess and organize it once obtained, and how to use it ethically. Learning, critical analysis, and interpretative abilities are included in the concept, which transcends communication and technological tools.

Oral, print, and digital information resources are all included in media and information literacy. In an increasingly digitized, interdependent world, media and information literacy is a core human right that fosters social inclusion. It can close the gap between those who have access to a lot of information and those who don’t.

People with knowledge of the functions of the media and information systems, as well as the circumstances in which these activities are conducted, are empowered through media and information literacy.

UNESCO and members of the UNESCO Media and Information Literacy Alliance are encouraging partners throughout the world to participate in Global Media and Information Literacy Week by coordinating and registering activities and events offline or online.

Global Media and Information Literacy Week, in conjunction with its Feature Events (International Media and Information Literacy and Intercultural Dialogue Conference and Youth Agenda Forum), brings together local events from across the globe to facilitate Media and Information Literacy connections across professions, disciplines, and borders.

Global Media and Information Literacy Week timeline

1970s
Media Literacy Emerges

The study of media literacy emerges.

2011
The Idea is Born

The idea for Global Media and Information Literacy Week is born in Fez, Morocco.

2012
The Week is Established

The observance is established under UNESCO’s leadership.

2021
South Africa Hosts the Week

South Africa plays host to Global Media and Information Literacy Week celebrations.

Global Media and Information Literacy Week FAQs

How can media and information improve the students learning environment?

Existing media resources can be leveraged to engage students and support active learning practices that help them learn more deeply. Media, for example, can be used to teach via case studies, problem-solving, cooperative learning, and more interactive lecture presentations.

Why is information literacy important today?

Information literacy is essential for today’s learners because it encourages problem-solving strategies and critical thinking skills such as asking questions and pursuing answers, gathering information, forming opinions, evaluating references, and making decisions, resulting in successful learners, effective contributors, and self-assured individuals.

What is the role of media and information in communication?

They serve as information and knowledge conduits, allowing people to connect and make well-informed decisions. These tools encourage informed dialogue among a host of diverse social stakeholders.

How to Observe Global Media and Information Literacy Week

  1. Discuss the inequalities

    While many people struggle to get access to information, others have become desensitized by its overabundant availability. Research the imbalance and find out what you can do to change the situation.

  2. Study the ethics

    What are the ethical concerns regarding information access and use? Consider how we can use media and I.C.T.s to reduce inequalities, build intercultural and interreligious dialogue, and provide information access to everyone.

  3. Use media

    Use media whether in its more traditional format or the more modern resources. Teach someone how to use the internet and help them gain media literacy.

5 Interesting Facts About Social Media

  1. Tons of users

    The internet boasts over 4.54 billion users.

  2. Alias

    The average person has about seven social media accounts.

  3. Social media users

    There are over 3.725 billion active users on social media.

  4. Down time

    On average, people spend about 142 minutes on social media every day.

  5. Sheer processing power

    Whatsapp and Facebook Messenger process over 60 billion messages daily.

Why Global Media and Information Literacy Week is Important

  1. It helps build key skills

    It provides key skills and competencies that enable people to effectively engage with the media and other sources of information. The observance also helps develop problem-solving skills and learning skills helping people to become productive citizens.

  2. It fosters accountability

    Media literacy enables students to become more informed media consumers as well as responsible media creators. In a similar vein, teaching media literacy encourages pupils to think creatively.

  3. It provides access to all

    This holiday supports the distribution of accurate, relevant, multilingual, accessible, clear, and science-based information. The commemoration emphasizes that the huge digital divide and data imbalances that exist between and within countries can be resolved in part by increasing people's abilities to search, collect, and distribute information in the digital space.

Global Media and Information Literacy Week dates

YearDateDay
2024October 24Thursday
2025October 24Friday
2026October 24Saturday
2027October 24Sunday
2028October 24Tuesday

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