and environmental advocates with strategies to counter false narratives. Similarly, a course designed for policy-makers can emphasize the role of MIL in shaping regulatory frameworks, promoting transparency and mitigating the spread of harmful misinformation in governance. Workplace training/MIL training for professionals Lifelong learning ensures that professionals across various sectors – ranging from software designers and content moderators to policy-makers, educators and journalists – can continuously develop the skills needed to navigate the evolving digital landscape. These training programmes should be designed to accommodate different career stages, allowing individuals to enhance their expertise in ways that are directly applicable to their professional responsibilities. By embedding MIL into workplace training and professional development initiatives, organizations can foster a workforce that is better equipped to identify, counter and mitigate the effects of mis- and disinformation. Community engagement and outreach MIL courses could also be offered through community engagement programmes such as rural adult education, urban-based literacy education, community media services, information campaigns (“pre-bunking”)26 and special programmes via national radio and television broadcasters. As an example, in 2020, UNESCO organized a virtual life skills training for more than 100 alternative learning system (ALS) implementers in the Philippines to enhance their MIL skills in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The training equipped participants with the skills to effectively navigate vast amounts of information and combat misinformation, covering topics such as online safety and critical thinking.27 In addition, through “MIL cities”, UNESCO also advocates for cities, municipalities, local government entities and various stakeholders, such as the transportation, entertainment and health industries, to empower residents with MIL competencies.28 Integration into the daily operation of youth organizations As digital natives, young people are at the forefront of today’s information ecosystems – both as consumers and creators of content. Their deep familiarity with digital platforms positions them as key actors in shaping the future of MIL. Consequently, youth-led organizations play a vital role in embedding MIL into non-formal education, peer-to-peer learning and community engagement. This integration goes beyond occasional workshops or campaigns; it involves embedding MIL principles into the very structures, practices and cultures of these organizations. A notable example comes from 2020, when 27 youth organizations across south-eastern Europe and Turkey signed a Memorandum of Cooperation and Understanding to incorporate MIL into their daily operations.29 This commitment included aligning internal policies with MIL values, training young members on critical thinking and fact-checking and using organizational platforms to combat disinformation and promote digital citizenship. Their example demonstrates how youth organizations can serve as incubators for grassroots MIL initiatives, fostering a generation that is not only media literate but also actively engaged in defending information integrity. Rethinking Media Literacy: A New Ecosystem Model for Information Integrity 11

Rethinking Media Literacy 2025