RIFNOTE
In a move to tackle fake news, hate speech, and mis/disinformation, and promote media awareness, the African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL), in partnership with United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), has concluded a two-week online training for educators and schools in the UNESCO Associated Schools Network (ASPnet).
The online pilot training, which was held between February 28 and March 9, involved over fifty
educators, administrators, and officials of the National Commissions for UNESCO (NATCOMs) in eight countries: Nigeria, Kenya, Algeria, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Ecuador, Trinidad & Tobago, and Canada.
The aim of the training, Rifnote learned, was to pilot the adaptation of the Second Edition of the UNESCO MIL Curriculum: Media & Information Literate Citizens – Think Critically, Click Wisely: Media & Information Curriculum for Educators & Learners.
According to the coordinator, AFRICMIL, Dr. Chido Onumah, the project will not only help to incorporate MIL in the curriculum of the participating schools but will also empower teachers to become media and information literate and have the competencies necessary in integrating MIL at all levels, including other forms of social literacy.
In a statement seen by Rifnote, AFRICMIL stated that the pilot training will be scaled up by UNESCO to cover other countries around the world will not only help educators to adapt and introduce the MIL curriculum in schools, but also contribute to increased education and training on MIL to tackle fake news, hate speech, and mis/disinformation, and promote media awareness, inter-cultural and inter-religious dialogue through several actions and activities.
The facilitators at the training were Dr. Suraj Olunifesi, Associate Professor at the Dept of Mass Communication, University of Lags, Dr. Sharon Omotoso, Associate Professor and Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan, and Dr. Chido Onumah, Coordinator of AFRICMIL.
