What is Media and Information Literacy, MIL?
Media and Information Literacy (MIL) is an umbrella term that includes the competencies required to search, manage, and evaluate information across various media formats.
At Karolinska Institutet, MIL refers to the set of skills students are expected to develop, enabling them to navigate and utilize information effectively in both professional and research contexts.
MIL integrates two complementary perspectives:
- Information Literacy, is relevant to the structure and organization of information—how it is accessed, retrieved, and applied.
- Media Literacy, which concerns media as a format—its production, dissemination, accessibility, and influence on society. (Haider & Sundin, 2022)
MIL Stated by UNESCO enables individuals to critically engage with communications content, institutions that facilitate this content, and the use of digital technologies” It works as a foundational competence for engaging with the digital, media, and information environments that characterize contemporary academia. Through MIL, individuals are equipped with the tools necessary to critically assess information and to make them aware of that information might be misleading or bias and may undermine democratic values.
Through MIL, individuals are empowered to: Detect disinformation and violations of privacy and to identify unverified claims, biased narratives, and stereotypical representations that may perpetuate discrimination or social inequality
The concept of MIL has evolved to encompass broader digital competencies and ethical consideratsion, reflektcint the increasing complexity of the information ecosystem. For instance, artificial intelligence (AI) presents both opportunities and challenges for learning, depending on its application and context. (Haider & Sundin, 2022)
Recommended Literature:
Haider, J. & Sundin, O. (2022). Paradoxes of Media and Information Literacy: The Crisis of Information. Routledge.
UNESCO (2021). Media and Information Literate Citizens: Think Critically, Click Wisely! Access publication