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Following the first two articles in the UNESCO Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Experts Speak interview series, two other MIL experts - from India and the Philippines, share their personal narratives about how, by becoming media and information literate, people can resist all forms of stereotypes that lead to discrimination and hate.

 

UNESCO’s work in Communication and Information promotes a diversity of voices in all types of information, whether in books, digital platforms, or in the media. One way through which we do this is to promote MIL as an integrated set of information, digital and media critical thinking competences. The UNESCO Media and Information Literacy Curriculum for Teachers provides modules that can help people to understand the power of media representation and how to analyse messages in online or offline spaces.

 

Journey with us into the minds of the two MIL experts/practitioners below. If you are inspired, then share your experiences and positive insights for human solidarity and peace in your preferred space online. As you share your insights about change through unity and mutual respect, put a note referencing this MIL Experts Speak series. Follow the ongoing UNESCO-UNAOC Media and Information Literacy and Intercultural Dialogue University Network’s Response to COVID-19 for intercultural dialogue and critical thinking during COVID-19 and way beyond.

 

Ramon R. Tuazon, President, Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication, The Philippines

 

 

UNESCO: Mr Tuazon, you are a MIL expert/practitioner. How do you think MIL is relevant to tackle racial discrimination?

 

Ramon R. Tuazon: MIL provides competencies needed for discernment, expression, and action to mitigate harmful media messages and effects which promote or perpetuate intolerance, negative stereotyping, and spread of discrimination and prejudice.

 

MIL enables (and empowers) individuals to assess media misrepresentations and disinformation which are purveyors of discrimination and hatred and incitement to violence (based on religion or belief).

 

MIL provides the competencies required in intercultural (interethnic) communication and interreligious (interfaith) dialogue. These competencies include understanding commonalities among diverse groups/sectors; respect and value differences; tolerance and openness to differences; and building trust and enabling understanding and harmony.

 

UNESCO: Have you had a personal experience of racial discrimination?

 

Ramon R. Tuazon: No personal experience of racial discrimination.

 

UNESCO: How would you characterize incidents of racial discrimination?

 

Ramon R. Tuazon: In the Philippines, there is an emerging anti-Chinese sentiment resulting in prejudice and even forms of hatred. According to the Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey in September 2019, China is the least trusted country among Filipinos, with a net trust rating of -33.

 

This negative sentiment can be traced to various geopolitical and socio-economic factors. The news media has consistently reported on illegal activities of migrants including gambling, drug trade, prostitution, and other types of criminalities. The oft-repeated reference to Wuhan, China as source of COVID-19 pandemic has added to negative perception. Some news stories highlight these migrants as competing for limited job opportunities among Filipinos.

 

Prejudices and stereotyping are usually related to health, cleanliness, and wellness, trade and businesses (e.g., engaged counterfeit products and services), anti-Filipino attitude, etc.

 

Unfortunately, negative sentiments are also conveyed to Filipino Chinese. It is estimated that there are at least 1.35 million Filipinos with Chinese ancestry or 1.3% of total population.

 

UNESCO: Do you know about how MIL is being applied in your country to address these challenges?

 

Ramon R. Tuazon: There have been continuing initiatives to promote understanding and appreciation especially among Filipino Chinese. Among these are the following:

 

MIL is a required subject in the Philippine basic education. It is offered in Senior High School (Grade 11 or 12). Training courses for MIL teachers highlight intercultural communication and interreligious (interfaith) dialogue.

 

The Bahay Tsinoy (Chinese-Filipino House) is a unique public museum which was set up in 1999. It traces the beginnings of ethnic Chinese in the Philippines and their significant contributions to the Philippine society over the years.

 

Mano Po (a traditional hand gesture to show respect to an elder) is a film series which started in 2002. Seven productions have since been produced with 2020 as the latest. This blockbuster series focuses on culture, lifestyle, and tradition of Filipino Chinese which have contributed to greater awareness and understanding of the ethnic group.

 

Chinoy TV is a lifestyle TV program for the past 10 years. The objective is to bridge Chinese culture to the Filipino community. It aired twice-a-week in ABS-CBN News Channel.

 

Jagtar Singh, Professor, Department of Library and Information Science, Punjabi University, India

 

 

UNESCO: Mr. Singh, you are a MIL expert/practitioner. How do you think MIL is relevant to tackle racial discrimination?

 

Jagtar Singh: Discretion and discrimination lead to corruption. Hence, any type of discrimination is bad. Racial discrimination is very bad indeed. MIL is an effective way to tackle racial discrimination by increasing awareness, understanding, and critical thinking of the people being discriminated against. MIL must be implemented at policy, strategy and grassroot levels.

 

UNESCO: Have you had a personal experience of racial discrimination?

 

Jagtar Singh: Yes, I am a Sikh. Sikhs in India, like Muslims, have always been suffering from racial discrimination. There are jokes about Sikhs. India is a composite culture. Even then, some feel that all the castes, classes, communities, linguistic and religious minorities in India are Hindus. Differences of opinion and cultural identity of the minorities may not be respected. These minorities can regularly suffer from racial discrimination and be denied human rights, which are listed in the Constitution of India.

 

UNESCO: How did you respond to the experience?

 

Jagtar Singh: By organizing people against racial discrimination and creating awareness among voices through traditional and new media. There are many counter narratives in India challenging and fighting racial discrimination. “The Wire” is one such platform to challenge the commercial media being controlled by the governments, corporate tycoons, politicians and NGOs with vested interests.

 

UNESCO: How would you characterize incidents of racial discrimination?

 

Jagtar Singh: Racial discrimination in India is characterized by caste, class, lingual, religious, cultural and socio-political considerations.

 

UNESCO: Do you know about how MIL is being applied in your country to address these challenges

 

 

Jagtar Singh: I think MIL has not yet gained ground in India to tackle racial discrimination. Only value-based conscious people listen to their inner voice and fight against racial discrimination. . Alternative media is the only hope to promote MIL across frontiers and take the bull of racial discrimination by the horns. MIL is very much needed to develop critical thinking among people to reinforce human rights and counter disinformation, misinformation, radicalization of youth, violent extremism, cyberbullying, Internet trolling, and racial discrimination. There is a need to develop MIL policy, strategy and plans of action. There is a yawning gap between the rhetoric and reality as far as application of MIL is concerned to tackle racial discrimination.

 

URL:

https://en.unesco.org/news/experts-philippines-and-india-speak-media-and-information-literacy-against-racial-0