{"id":91,"date":"2018-07-10T11:06:30","date_gmt":"2018-07-10T11:06:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lisp11.epgpbooks.inflibnet.ac.in\/?post_type=chapter&p=91"},"modified":"2018-08-02T06:35:38","modified_gmt":"2018-08-02T06:35:38","slug":"media-and-information-literacy-mil-a-rendezvous-with-information-2","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/ebooks.inflibnet.ac.in\/lisp11\/chapter\/media-and-information-literacy-mil-a-rendezvous-with-information-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Media and Information Literacy (MIL): A Rendezvous with Information"},"content":{"raw":"
\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n1.0\u00a0 Introduction:\u00a0<\/strong>\r\n\r\n \r\n

In the modern society, there exists a dichotomy regarding the information possessed by people. Some people are facing the problem of information overload while some are information starved. This phenomenon is also true for the qualitative aspects of information i.e., the quality of information possessed by people. So there is a divide regarding the quantity and quality of information available to the masses. This quantitative and qualitative imbalance regarding information rich and information poor forms the first layer of the problem. The second layer which is perhaps more serious is inability to analyze, comprehend, evaluate, utilize and perform other associated activities with the information available or obtained. Freedom to express, read, listen, write, produce information and communicate has been some of the fundamentals traits of the society along with others. These traits have been identified as human rights in the modern society that can be achieved effectively in with greater emphasis on Media and Information Literacy (MIL). MIL has got global acceptance as the measure to address the issue of inability discussed above.<\/p>\r\n \r\n

Media has emerged as a strong pillar and en effective advocator of democracy and freedom of expression. Our communication system has also been totally revamped in terms of time and space, and modes of social behaviour. All forms and formats of media represent social and cultural resources which if used appropriately has the potential to change the lives of people and society at large. MIL is considered as the key competence in a rapidly evolving society where the true natives of would be media and information literate citizens.<\/p>\r\n \r\n

Several significant initiatives both at national level in many countries as well as at international level have been taken to implement and promote the MIL movement. One such significant development was The International Conference Media and Information Literacy for Knowledge Societies, held in Moscow on 24-28 June, 2012. The Conference gathered approximately 130 participants from 40 countries representing all continents including India. Various aspects of MIL and the activities aimed at its promotion worldwide were discussed by executives and experts of key specialized international governmental and non-governmental agencies and organizations, world leading experts in the field of knowledge societies building; leading researchers and professors of journalism, librarianship and education; executives and representatives of government authorities responsible for educational institutions, libraries, printed and electronic media; representatives of international and national associations of media and information \u00a0literacy professionals; representatives of organizations and institutions engaged in publishing professional literature \u00a0on media and information \u00a0literacy; media practitioners.<\/p>\r\n \r\n

The final document from the conference, The Moscow Declaration on Media and Information Literacy, was discussed and unanimously adopted at the Conference closing session. It was aimed at\u00a0raising public awareness of the significance, scale and topicality of the tasks of media and information literacy advocacy among information, media and educational professionals, government executives and public at large.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n

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Another very authoritative and detailed document titled \u201cMedia and Information \u00a0Literacy Policy and Strategy Guidelines\u201d was published by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2013. This resource is the first of its kind which treats MIL as a composite concept, unifying information literacy and media literacy. These comprehensive guidelines offer a harmonized approach, which in turn enables all actors to articulate more sustained national MIL policies and strategies, describing both the process and content to be considered. This publication is a part of a comprehensive MIL Toolkit being developed by UNESCO and partners.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n2.1\u00a0 Information Literacy (IL):\u00a0<\/strong>\r\n\r\n \r\n

Information literacy is concerned with teaching and learning about the whole range of information sources and formats. To be \u201cinformation literate\u201d means one must able to know why, when, and how to use the information sources and tools with critical thinking.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\nThe definition of information literacy by the Japanese Ministry of Education is composed of four elements:\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n1.\u00a0 capability of judgement (evaluation), selection, organisation, and\r\n\r\n2. processing of information as well as of information creation and communication;\r\n\r\n3. understanding of characteristics of information society, effects of information over society and human beings;\r\n\r\n4. Recognition of importance of, and responsibility for information; understanding of foundation of information sciences, learning of basic operation skills of information and information devices (particularly computer).\r\n\r\n \r\n

Information literate people can accesses the information efficiently and effectively, evaluate it critically and competently, and uses information accurately and creatively. To be information literate requires having the thinking and practical skills, knowledge and attitudes that enable one to make ethical use of information through:<\/p>\r\n\r\n