Global Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Week is celebrated annually from 24 to 31 October to raise global awareness on the importance of media and information literacy in promoting informed, ethical, and responsible use of information in the digital age.
The observance mobilizes governments, educational institutions, civil society, media, and technology platforms to promote critical thinking, access to credible information, and resilience against misinformation.
Theme 2025: “Minds Over AI – MIL in Digital Spaces”
The 2025 theme, “Minds Over AI – MIL in Digital Spaces,” highlights the urgent need for people to exercise critical human judgment and ethical reasoning in a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence (AI).
AI is transforming how information is created, distributed, and consumed, influencing everything from search results and social media feeds to automated journalism and digital advertising. This year’s theme stresses that while AI-driven tools can enhance communication, humans must remain in control– guiding how information is interpreted and used responsibly.
Key Message:
The focus is on empowering individuals with media and information literacy (MIL) skills to:
- Evaluate and verify AI-generated content.
- Understand algorithmic influence and data bias.
- Recognize misinformation and disinformation in digital spaces.
- Ensure human values, ethics, and awareness remain central in AI-driven communication.
Background
The concept of Global Media and Information Literacy Week was formalized by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 2021, through a resolution that recognized the growing importance of media and information literacy in combating misinformation and bridging the digital divide.
Objective:
- To ensure that individuals and societies are equipped to access, evaluate, and use information ethically and effectively in the face of a growing flood of digital and AI-generated content.
Rationale:
- With the rise of digital and social media platforms, there is an unprecedented volume of information and misinformation circulating globally.
- Media and Information Literacy (MIL) enhances the public’s ability to seek, verify, analyze, and share reliable information, which is essential for democratic participation, peacebuilding, and human development.
What is Media and Information Literacy (MIL)?
Media and Information Literacy (MIL) refers to the set of skills and competencies that enable individuals to:
- Access and search for reliable information effectively.
- Critically evaluate information sources and digital content.
- Use and create media content responsibly and ethically.
- Understand rights and responsibilities online and offline.
- Promote equality, intercultural dialogue, and peace through communication and media engagement.
MIL helps people navigate today’s information-saturated environment, where both information scarcity and information overload can mislead or disempower individuals.
UNESCO’s Role: UNESCO leads global efforts to strengthen MIL through:
- Development of curricula, teacher training, and policy guidelines.
- Support for assessment frameworks that evaluate national progress in building MIL competencies.
- Promoting interdisciplinary collaboration between media, education, and technology sectors to foster informed and responsible citizenship.
Key UN and UNESCO Milestones
- UNGA Resolution (2021): Recognized Media and Information Literacy Week as a formal global observance.
- UNESCO Initiation (2012): UNESCO first conceptualized Global MIL Week in 2012 to promote media literacy worldwide.
- UNESCO’s MIL CLICKS Initiative: Promotes critical thinking about online content through social media engagement.
Related Global Frameworks and Days
- World Press Freedom Day: 3 May – Promotes freedom of expression and independent journalism.
- International Day for Universal Access to Information: 28 September – Highlights the right to access public information.
- Digital Cooperation Agenda (UN, 2020): Advocates responsible use of digital technologies for inclusive growth.
India and Media Literacy
Initiatives:
- Information Literacy Drive (Ministry of Information & Broadcasting): Promotes responsible media use among students and citizens.
- Fact-Checking Units (PIB Fact Check): Counters misinformation in India’s digital space.
- National Digital Literacy Mission (NDLM): Enhances digital literacy, especially in rural areas.
Relevance:
- In India, promoting media literacy aligns with efforts to combat fake news, misinformation, and online radicalization.