Definition

Media and Information Literacy (MIL) is a “combination of knowledge, attitudes, skills, and practices required to access, analyse, evaluate, use, produce, and communicate information and knowledge in creative, legal and ethical ways that respect human rights” (Moscow Declaration on Media and Information Literacy, 2012).   

The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) defines it as the "set of competencies to search, critically evaluate, use and contribute information and media content wisely; knowledge of one’s rights online; understanding how to combat online hate speech and cyberbullying; understanding of the ethical issues surrounding the access and use of information; and engage with media and ICTs to promote equality, free expression, intercultural/interreligious dialogue, peace, etc." (UNESCO, 2016).            

The declarations, proclamations, recommendations or action plans above were significant in the development of Media and Information Literacy. We take into account the importance of the 1982 Grunwald Declaration on Media Education which took the lead in the advancement of MIL. Below are the links to all the declarations:

1982. Grunwald Declaration on Media Education

2003. Prague Declaration Towards an Information Literate Society

2005. Alexandria Proclamation on Information Literacy and Lifelong Learning

2007. Paris Agenda or 12 Recommendations for Media Education

2011. Fez Declaration on Media and Information Literacy

2011. IFLA Media and Information Literacy Recommendations

2012. Moscow Declaration on Media and Information Literacy

2013. GAPMIL Framework and Action Plan

2014. Paris Declaration on Media and Information Literacy in the Digital Era

2016. The Khanty-Mansiysk Declaration Media and Information Literacy for Building a Culture of Open Government

2016. Sao Paulo Youth Declaration on Media and Information Literacy

Reference: Yap, J. (2017). One MIL a day keeps the (IL) literate away. https://www.slideshare.net/PAARLOnline/one-mil-a-day-keeps-the-il-literate-away