The emergence and rise of new information technology (IT) has considerably changed the ways people acquire, use and store information. It is estimated that more than half of the world, say about 4.62 billion people now use social media. With a global social media penetration of 58.4% and Kenya at a penetration of 21% of its total population, its significance is indisputable. In the wake of the current digitalization era, social media sites and platforms are so deeply embedded in our daily lives that people rely on them to stay informed, on issues pertinent to them on daily news and updates on critical events and keeping up with the latest trends to connecting with friends and family, and exploring entertainment options, as well as using them as a source of income. Further, various technological advancements have created an ideal atmosphere for faster spread of information and the existence of a wider audience base for information consumption.
The ease of access to information and guaranteed rights to freedom of expression coupled with the increased uptake and consumption of content on social media has unfortunately contributed to the dramatic increase in the volume of disinformation and other forms of harmful content. In a world where information is readily available with no communication boundaries, disinformation can be catastrophic. The effects of disinformation on democracy, public order and public health, while, delegitimizing the messages and voices of credible media houses, experts, and public institutions can no longer be ignored overlooked.
As we navigate the current ‘verification’ and ‘post-truth’ age on the internet, riddled with potentially misleading content, it becomes more obvious that tackling online misinformation and disinformation requires so much more than the use of the multiple verification tools that exist. Beyond calls for social media regulation, there is an urgent need for organizations, development partners, and other key stakeholders to shift their focus toward media and information literacy as a way of minimizing consumer vulnerabilities to the constant threat of harmful content. Despite the fact that it may not be the only answer to the growing concerns of online misinformation, it is certainly important and it has the potential to enable individuals, especially the youth, to process and evaluate online information with discernment.
As societal dependence on technology increases, thinking critically about media and information is an important life-long skill that supports youth leaders and other citizens to ensure that online safety is achieved. Developing competencies in media and information, therefore, serves as a fundamental aspect of remedying the proliferation of harmful digital content online. Further, media and information literacy competencies equips individuals with skills to be more resilient to harmful content, to think critically and click wisely. By curating an environment where individuals can seamlessly evaluate the source, the context, and the medium within which they receive various messages, society is affirmed by more engaged citizens and responsible decision-makers.
In contributing to efforts to ensure a strengthened community media policy and practice, UNESCO, through the Multi-Donor Programme on Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists, has partnered with the Africa Centre for People, Institutions, and Society (ACEPIS) to conduct a training of trainers’ knowledge exchange to strengthen capacities of youth leaders to enable them to mainstream MIL competencies within their organizations' strategies, plans, guidelines, and activities in Kenya. On the 2nd, 3rd and 6th June 2022, Acepis will identify and train at least 100 youth leaders drawn from 47 counties in Kenya on Media and Information Literacy (MIL) and how to use the MIL skills to become more responsible digital citizens.
The training will be complemented by an online awareness-raising campaign under the #ClickResponsiblyKE, which will run concurrently with the training throughout the week. This awareness-raising campaign aims to maximize the impact, visibility, and main message of the knowledge exchange.
The overall objective is to ensure strengthened community media policy and practice, while citizens, and particularly youth, are empowered through enhanced media and information literacy.
Acepis invites any interested actors that work in this space or share similar mandates for partnerships and collaborative engagements.
The emergence and rise of new information technology (IT) has considerably changed the ways people acquire, use and store information. It is estimated that more than half of the world, say about 4.62 billion people now use social media. With a global social media penetration of 58.4% and Kenya at a penetration of 21% of its total population, its significance is indisputable. In the wake of the current digitalization era, social media sites and platforms are so deeply embedded in our daily lives that people rely on them to stay informed, on issues pertinent to them on daily news and updates on critical events and keeping up with the latest trends to connecting with friends and family, and exploring entertainment options, as well as using them as a source of income. Further, various technological advancements have created an ideal atmosphere for faster spread of information and the existence of a wider audience base for information consumption.
The ease of access to information and guaranteed rights to freedom of expression coupled with the increased uptake and consumption of content on social media has unfortunately contributed to the dramatic increase in the volume of disinformation and other forms of harmful content. In a world where information is readily available with no communication boundaries, disinformation can be catastrophic. The effects of disinformation on democracy, public order and public health, while, delegitimizing the messages and voices of credible media houses, experts, and public institutions can no longer be ignored overlooked.
As we navigate the current ‘verification’ and ‘post-truth’ age on the internet, riddled with potentially misleading content, it becomes more obvious that tackling online misinformation and disinformation requires so much more than the use of the multiple verification tools that exist. Beyond calls for social media regulation, there is an urgent need for organizations, development partners, and other key stakeholders to shift their focus toward media and information literacy as a way of minimizing consumer vulnerabilities to the constant threat of harmful content. Despite the fact that it may not be the only answer to the growing concerns of online misinformation, it is certainly important and it has the potential to enable individuals, especially the youth, to process and evaluate online information with discernment.
As societal dependence on technology increases, thinking critically about media and information is an important life-long skill that supports youth leaders and other citizens to ensure that online safety is achieved. Developing competencies in media and information, therefore, serves as a fundamental aspect of remedying the proliferation of harmful digital content online. Further, media and information literacy competencies equips individuals with skills to be more resilient to harmful content, to think critically and click wisely. By curating an environment where individuals can seamlessly evaluate the source, the context, and the medium within which they receive various messages, society is affirmed by more engaged citizens and responsible decision-makers.
In contributing to efforts to ensure a strengthened community media policy and practice, UNESCO, through the Multi-Donor Programme on Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists, has partnered with the Africa Centre for People, Institutions, and Society (ACEPIS) to conduct a training of trainers’ knowledge exchange to strengthen capacities of youth leaders to enable them to mainstream MIL competencies within their organizations' strategies, plans, guidelines, and activities in Kenya. On the 2nd, 3rd and 6th June 2022, Acepis will identify and train at least 100 youth leaders drawn from 47 counties in Kenya on Media and Information Literacy (MIL) and how to use the MIL skills to become more responsible digital citizens.
The training will be complemented by an online awareness-raising campaign under the #ClickResponsiblyKE, which will run concurrently with the training throughout the week. This awareness-raising campaign aims to maximize the impact, visibility, and main message of the knowledge exchange.
The overall objective is to ensure strengthened community media policy and practice, while citizens, and particularly youth, are empowered through enhanced media and information literacy.
Acepis invites any interested actors that work in this space or share similar mandates for partnerships and collaborative engagements.
It's such an honor to be part of the youth training on ensuring strengthened community media policy and practice, while citizens, and particularly the youth, are empowered through enhanced media and information literacy.
Looking forward
The inception has come at a critical time of the internet age where almost everything if not all things revolves around the internet, more particularly in Kenya as we also near electioneering period,the fruits of the training will come in handy and beneficial to the society at large.
This initiative has come at a critical time of the internet age where almost everything if not all things revolves around it.the fruits of the training will come in handy and beneficial to the society at large.
This a great opportunity for the youth leaders to become change agents in our communities.
Viva
Awesome
This will also enhance information consumer rights as per constitutional provisions and yet improve ethics in information sharing
A good initiative to youths and the society at large. Ready to learn and practise the knowledge acquired
🔥🔥🔥
Looking forward to learn something
It's such an honor to be part of the youth training on ensuring strengthened community media policy and practice, while citizens, and particularly the youth, are empowered through enhanced media and information literacy.
Looking forward
The inception has come at a critical time of the internet age where almost everything if not all things revolves around the internet, more particularly in Kenya as we also near electioneering period,the fruits of the training will come in handy and beneficial to the society at large.
This initiative has come at a critical time of the internet age where almost everything if not all things revolves around it.the fruits of the training will come in handy and beneficial to the society at large.
This a great opportunity for the youth leaders to become change agents in our communities.
Viva
Awesome
This will also enhance information consumer rights as per constitutional provisions and yet improve ethics in information sharing
A good initiative to youths and the society at large. Ready to learn and practise the knowledge acquired
🔥🔥🔥
Looking forward to learn something