Mexico City, August 30, 2021., - In order to combat disinformation, fake news, hate speech and discrimination, through the development of critical thinking among citizens, responsible consumption and production of information and understanding of media, information and communication technologies, the launch of the MIL Mexico Network, which will promote knowledge and skills in the country through Media and Information Literacy (MIL) was formalized on August 30.
The network is integrated by eight founding members: UNESCO, DW Akademie, the National Electoral Institute (INE), the Mexican Institute of Radio (IMER), the Autonomous University of Nuevo León (UANL), the Veracruzana University (UV). Organizations such as SocialTIC and Tomato Valley. Mentoralia and Technovation Girls, also support this effort.
During the presentation event (held in a virtual session) the organizations explained the importance and the need of a network that amplifies the efforts on Media and Information Literacy, mainly among multipliers relevant to the creation and dissemination of information (journalists, teachers and parents), young people aged 14 to 24, and vulnerable groups, such as indigenous communities.
The MIL Mexico Network will promote, among other activities:
- Media and Information Literacy campaigns at national and local level.
- The creation of an MIL “ecosystem”.
- Participate in working groups, meetings and conferences.
- Dissemination of good practices in the teaching of Media and Information Literacy.
- Promote studies and research, as well as its dissemination on Media and Information Literacy in Mexico.
“The quality of the information which we consume largely determines our perceptions, beliefs and attitudes, and although efforts have been made to implement a Media and Information Literacy curriculum in education systems, we are increasingly exposed to more information in multiple channels, so the efforts to promote MIL competences need to be amplified and extended beyond formal learning environments. Tools like the Media and Information Literacy help to build inclusive environments for coexistence, communication and information” said Rosa Wolpert, UNESCO México’s Education Officer.
The MIL Mexico Network offers to its members:
- Exchange of knowledge, ideas, study and work programs.
- Media and Information Literacy competence training, through courses, seminars and other capacity building activities.
- Access to forums and materials of leading international organizations in the Media and Information Literacy (such as UNESCO and DW Akademie).
- Be part of a pioneering working group on a topic of high global importance.
In the context of International Literacy Day and World Media and Information Literacy Week, the MIL Mexico Network will hold a series of activities such as workshops on safe and anonymous navigation and use of data for human rights defenders and journalists, a child and youth consultation on the Internet, among other activities, shared Alan Sicairos from Tomato Valley.
“For the National Electoral Institute, it is very important to head the MIL Week in 2022, these activities will provide the general public with tools in the field of Media and Information Literacy. It is important to mention that, in Mexico, there are more than 126 million people, more than 92 million of them have acquired citizenship and are consumers and transmitters of information. The MIL México Network will promote the access to truthful, objective and accurate information for the Mexican population, as well as a greater participation in the public space,” said the Lorenzo Córdova, President of INE, during his participation.
MIL Handbook for Journalists
As a part of the launch event, the Spanish translation of the UNESCO publication Media and Information Literacy in Journalism. Handbook for journalists and journalism teachers was presented (which will be ready for consultation and free download in the coming days). This document provides tools to promote a perspective on information as a common good and a human rights approach from the journalistic environment, from training to professional practice.
Go to the Microsite: Red AMI México
If you are interested in joining the work of the AMI Network, you can send an email to: mexico@unesco.org, specifying in the subject: "AMI Network Mexico". Or you can contact any of the institutions through the emails of the focal points listed on the site.
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