By TOM CHIAHEMEN –
The critical role of Media and Information Literacy (MIL), Digital Space and Nigeria’s transformation, attracted the attention and concerns of Major stakeholders who gathered at a digital literacy symposium in Abuja during the week to commemorate the Global Media and Information Literacy Week 2023.
The one-day symposium, with the theme: “Media and Information Literacy in Digital Space: A Collective Global Agenda,” was organised by the Nigerian National Commission for UNESCO (NATCOM-UNESCO), and the Federal Ministry of Information & National Orientation, in collaboration with UNESCO Regional Office, Abuja.
According to the organizers, the event, held at the UN House, Abuja, was informed by how “the advent of the internet and social media has revolutionised the way in which we inform, educate and organize ourselves, bringing unprecedented opportunities for expression and accesss to information. The rise of online misinformation and hate speech has, however, shown that we must massively up-scale efforts to teach people of all ages to think critically and click wisely in online space.”
The Global Media and Information Literacy week 2023 highlights the opportunities and the significance to exponentially broaden media and information literacy learning in digital spaces.
In his welcome address, the Secretary-General, Nigerian National Commission for UNESCO, Dr. Olagunju Idowu Lateef, who was represented by Peter Omale, explained that the Global Media and Information Literacy Week was “an annual event, that serves as a reminder of the crucial importance of media and information literacy in our rapidly evolving digital landscape. “
“In an era where information is abundant and easily accessible, it is essential that we equip ourselves with the necessary skills and knowledge to navigate and critically evaluate the vast array of media sources and information disseminated through various platforms,” he said.
Justifying the theme of the year, which focuses on the intersection of youth, media and information literacy, digital spaces, and Nigeria’s transformative journey, Dr. Lateef said, “as we witness the digital revolution before our eyes, it is evident that young people play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our nation. The theme highlights the immense potential that lies within the youth and emphasizes the critical importance of equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to navigate the digital landscape effectively.”
He noted that in Nigeria, where digital spaces have become a catalyst for innovation and socio-economic growth, “it is imperative that we empower citizens with media and information literacy skills. By doing so, we enable them become active participants in the digital sphere, capable of harnessing its power for positive change and transformative development. “
He expressed the hope that participants at the symposium would have the privilege of engaging with distinguished experts and youth advocates on MIL, who would share their insights, experiences, and best practices in promoting media and information literacy, as a means to foster informed and engaged citizens, capable of making well-informed decisions and actively participating in a democratic society.
“It is my hope that at the end of this symposium, we will have explored innovative approaches, technologies, and strategies to enhance media and information literacy across different sectors, that can be leveraged to drive Nigeria’s transformation, laying the foundation for an inclusive and prosperous future,” Dr. Lateef said.
In his opening address, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, re-affirmed Nigeria’s commitment to empowering its youth through Media and Information Literacy (MIL), adding that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, remained committed to pursuing, supporting, and promoting MIL policies and programmes that will enhance the development and capacities of our citizens, especially the youth, in the effective use of media and information literacy.
The Minister, who was represented by the Director of Information Technology in the Ministry, Mrs. Comfort Ajiboye, said the government was working with UNESCO and other relevant partners to integrate MIL into our education system, train journalists and other media professionals, and raise greater awareness of MIL among the general public.
Information Minister Mohammed Idris Malagi
He expressed pride that Nigeria successfully hosted the 11th edition of Global Media and Information Literacy Week last year, receiving UNESCO’s highest rating. The event concluded with the signing of the Abuja Declaration, a global call to action for financing MIL initiatives and collaboration among stakeholders.
The UNESCO Executive Board, he said, has adopted the Abuja Declaration, recognizing its importance in promoting positive internet use, combating disinformation, and benefiting not only Nigeria but also countries in the sub-region. The Board has also approved the UNESCO International Media and Information Literacy Institute to be sited in Nigeria, with the aim of enhancing digital literacy and empowering citizens, especially youth.
Idris emphasized the importance of combating misinformation and disinformation in our digital age. The consequences, such as a decline in trust in institutions, the exacerbation of social divisions, and the incitement of violence, have become tools in the hands of desperate and unscrupulous individuals to undermine our world while hiding behind the pretext of freedom of expression. He called for a united global effort to promote media literacy and build a more informed and resilient world.
He emphasized the need for collective action, stating, “We must unite globally to combat the harmful effects of misinformation and disinformation. By promoting media literacy and implementing global guidelines for regulating digital platforms, we can uphold freedom of expression while holding users accountable.”
The Director, UNESCO Abuja Office, Mr. Diallo Abdourahamane, who spoke on behalf of the Director-General of UNESCO, Ms Audrey Azoulay, emphasized the increasing popularity of digital networks for self-expression, knowledge acquisition, and social interaction.
He however pointed out the negative impact of disinformation and hate speech that often circulates on these networks.
To address this issue, “UNESCO is actively promoting media and information literacy, encouraging people to think critically and verify facts before accepting any information,” he said.
According to Azoulay, digital networks have become the preferred platforms for expression, protest and interaction, forming the “global village” referred to by Canadian philosopher and media theorist Marshall McLuhan.
She noted that in 2023, “it is estimated that 60% of the world’s population, or 4.75 billion people, have expressed themselves, informed themselves and asked questions on digital social networks. “
“We face a paradox, however: while the digital revolution has enabled the spread of democratic ideals and the diversity of cultural expressions, it now poses serious challenges for our democracies, as disinformation and hate speech proliferate on social networks, particularly revolving around international conflicts and crises,” said the UNESCO Director-General.
She maintained that to meet this challenge, media and information literacy has become an essential skill for the twenty-first century, and one to which UNESCO is strongly committed, in line with its mandate: to help the widest possible audience to develop critical thinking and systematically cross-reference sources; to help social network users resist traps and easily believable conspiracy theories; and to ensure that fact-checking becomes a reflex for everyone.
“Our action begins with setting standards and regulations. Following on the course set by the Windhoek+30 Declaration of 2021, adopted by UNESCO Member States, the “Internet for Trust” conference we hosted last February laid the collective foundations for better regulation of social media and better education of the users of these tools.
‘UNESCO will shortly be publishing guidelines for regulating digital platforms, which will propose clear, shared guidelines on algorithmic moderation and functionality, data transparency and availability, privacy, and human rights risk assessment,” she said.
This, according to Ms Azoulay, will also help to foster the critical thinking of users, so that they can enjoy the full potential of digital platforms in complete safety.
For such virtuous practices to be adopted by as many people as possible, digital platforms must make clear commitments, she added.
She further disclosed that beyond the field of regulation, UNESCO was also taking concrete action in the field, in particular training teachers and students in the new skills required for the use of such platforms.
Already, she said, in Latin America and the Caribbean, for example, UNESCO had trained over 5,500 teachers in media and information literacy over the past two years.
She said it was to reinforce these efforts that Global Media and Information Literacy Week was being held this month as an opportunity to identify effective ways of getting the digital giants more involved in training social network users, and more broadly, to encourage the sharing of best practices.
In his goodwill message, the Secretary, Steering Committee, Media and Information Literacy Coalition of Nigeria (MILCON), Osamudiamwen David Osaghae, observed that in an era where the digital realm has become an integral part of our daily lives, “we must recognize that media and information literacy is not merely a choice; it is a necessity.”
He believed that is a collective global agenda that transcends boundaries, cultures, and backgrounds.
‘ It is a vital skill that empowers individuals to navigate, critically assess, and contribute to the media landscape,” he stressed.
Describing the celebration of MIL Week 2023 as an opportunity to reaffirm the gobal commitment to this shared goal, Osaghae said, “We must recognize that misinformation, disinformation, and the spread of harmful content have no borders. They affect people across the globe, and we are all united in the fight to combat these challenges. We, as individuals, communities, and nation, must work together to ensure that MIL is accessible to all. It is not a privilege reserved for the educated elite or those with access to the latest technology. In a country as diverse as Nigeria, we must reach every corner, every school, and every community. Only then can we truly empower our people to be responsible, informed, and active participants in the digital age.”
He pointed out that in Nigeria, a nation brimming with youthful energy and talent,”our youth hold the potential for innovation and progress (and) to harness this potential, we must ensure they have the necessary tools, engagement, inclusion and knowledge.”
He believed that the engagement of youth must transcend beyond participation, but rather extend into genuine partnership and the establishment of innovative hubs, adding that these hubs are essential for cultivating creative concepts and approaches to promote Media and Information Literacy (MIL).
“ On this note, I will say that MIL stakeholders in Nigeria including the government should prioritise digital space engagement for the propagation of MIL and competencies rather than occasional conferences and workshops. An effective approach of youth partnership in the Digital space involves mobilizing influencers, celebrities, bloggers, and new media stakeholders to actively advance MIL awareness and practices across society.,” he said.
He recalled that during the 2022 Global MIL week hosted by Nigeria, funding commitments were made at national and international levels, emphasizing that it was imperative that these commitments be promptly fulfilled, particularly in a time when global trust in media is teetering on the brink.
“It is sad to witness the swiftness with which the world allocates resources for ammunition and weapons of mass destruction in regions like Ukraine and Israel, while concurrently failing to prioritize funding to prevent mass destruction and promote peace,” he stated.
“As we celebrate MIL Week in 2023, let us remember that the challenges of the digital age are real, but so are the opportunities. Media and Information Literacy is our shield against misinformation, disinformation, and the negative impact of media. It is a collective global agenda, and it is our collective responsibility,” he said.
Panel discussants and other participants at the symposium, agreed that while MIL remain key drivers of Nigeria’s economy, the nation’s was yet to reach 5% of digital economy out of the trillions of opportunities that abound in the world.
They identified critical literacy, computer literacy, copy Rights literacy, data literacy, disaster literacy, financial literacy, health literacy, media literacy and sex literacy to be the MIL matrix.
The challenges of MIL in Nigeria were also identified as lack of interest/awareness of the Internet by government officials, affordability, user capability, congestion (scarcity of network resources), malicious and illegal activities on the Internet, fake news, quality of service and, the human factor itself.
They suggested, among other actions, the need for curriculum change to make MIL a core component of Nigeria’s educational system, and that, indeed, the primary school curriculum should be reviewed to include MIL as a compulsory subject.
While agreeing that Curriculum change is what is most needed, Dr. Zubairu Attah, however said, “it’s not just academic curriculum, but communal curriculum.”
He described the digital space as a national security tool, which the Nigerian government could use to achieve what it wanted, stressing, however, “we need to sit down as stakeholders and talk, not at the UN House but anywhere.”