Understanding

Media and
Information
Literacy
Unlocking
Definitions
Media
▸ Any channel of communication that reach
people widely
▸ Communication outlets or tools used to store
and deliver information or data
▸ Radio and television, newspapers, magazines,
and the Internet

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Roles of Media
▸ Act as channels of information and knowledge
through which citizens communicate with each
other and make informed decisions
▸ Facilitate informed debates between diverse
social actors
▸ Provide us with much of what we learn about
the world beyond our immediate experience

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Roles of Media
▸ Are means by which a society learns about
itself and builds a sense of community
▸ Function as watchdog of government in all its
forms, promoting transparency in public life
scrutiny of those with power through exposing
corruption, maladministration and corporate
wrong-doing

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Roles of Media
▸ Are essential factors of democratic processes
and one of the guarantors of free and fair
elections
▸ Are a vehicle for cultural expression and cultural
cohesion within and between nations

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Information
▸ A broad term that covers processed
data, knowledge derived from study,
experience, instruction, signals or
symbols.
▸ Knowledge communicated or
received concerning a particular fact
or circumstance
▸ Is stimuli that has meaning in some
context for its receiver
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Sourcing Information
The proper use of information made
available by media and various
information providers depends on
people’s abilities to:
▸ Understand their information needs
▸ Locate, retrieve, and evaluate the
quality of information they can
access.

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Sourcing Information
Ask yourselves these questions:
▸ What is the information for?
▸ What source or what kind of source
would be the most credible for
providing information in this
particular case?
▸ Which sources are likely to be fair,
objective, lacking hidden motives,
showing quality control?
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Media and Information
Literacy (MIL)
▸ The essential skills and
competencies that allow individuals
to engage with media and other
information providers effectively, as
well as develop critical thinking and
life-long learning skills to socialize
and become active citizens.

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Importance of
MIL

▸ Make informed decisions

▸ Learn about the world around
them
▸ Build a sense of community
▸ Maintain public discourse
▸ Engage in lifelong learning

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Importance of
MIL

▸ Incite them to use new and

traditional media for self-
expression, creativity and
greater participation in the
country’s democracy and the
global information network.

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Importance of
MIL

▸ Spur citizens to become

active producers of
information and innovators of
media and information
products, as well as critical
thinkers.

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Journalism &
Media Sources
‘Window to the World’
Functions of
Journalism
▸ Organizing knowledge
▸ Truthfulness
▸ Public Interest
▸ Independence
▸ Forum for public criticism & problem solving

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Functions of
Journalism
▸ Accountability
▸ Proportional & relevant news
▸ Balancing privacy & the right to know

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What happens when
information is only
concentrated in the hands
of a few or only in the
hands of the elite?
Access to Information
▸ Essential for both democracy &
development
▸ Every citizen’s right
▸ Public information is the property of
citizens
▸ ICTs change the narrative: provide
access to information & knowledge
almost instantaneously

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Freedom of Expression
▸ Freedom to express and exchange
views and opinions without the fear
of threats or punitive action.
▸ Is a fundamental human right.
▸ ‘Freedom of the press’ – free
expression to be public and shared

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Freedom of Expression
▸ Can promote a true sense of
ownership within society by allowing
citizens to examine and express
different thoughts and opinions
▸ Is an integral part of civic
responsibility, and essential for
critical thinking
▸ Restrictions/limitations – to protect
the freedom of others (‘Hate Speech’)
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Media Pluralism
▸ concerned with ensuring the public
are exposed to a range of different
opinions, views and information from
a variety of sources.
▸ Help societies to better reflect on
themselves

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Editorial Independence
▸ Professional freedom entrusted to
editors to make decisions without
interference from the owners of the
media or any other state or non-state
actors
▸ Is tested when a media org runs
articles that may be unpopular with
its owners or advertisers

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THANKS!
Any questions?

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Exercise 1:
▸ Track your media use for 5 days.
▸ Collate the data among your
group.
▸ Present to the class the weekly
average.
▸ Report the roles/functions of the
media platforms that you’re using.
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