http://www.dc4mf.org/en/node/3715
DCMF supporting media literacy and dialogue
DCMF recently visited Cairo to participate in a conference highlighting the importance of media literacy and communication in the global village.
Sun, 12/05/2013
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The MILID conference brought together experts to discuss the importance of media literacy and intercultural communication
Doha Centre for Media Freedom’s commitment to media education was reinforced last month when a team from the centre visited Cairo to participate in an international Media Information Literacy and Intercultural Dialogue (MILID) conference, and highlight the work that DCMF is carrying out in this field in Qatar and the region.
The MILID conference, organised by UNESCO and other partners, aims at promoting cooperation between international organisations, NGO’s, academic institutions, representatives of the media, researchers and other groups working with a focus on these issues.
With advancements in modern technology providing simple and instant access to information and an ever-expanding range of media platforms, issues related to media literacy continue to acquire increasing importance across the globe.
It is essential that young people learn how to read and critically analyse modern media so as to ensure that they are not misled or manipulated.
Similarly the ability of media to frame intercultural dialogue is something which must be held at the forefront of the international agenda.
As part of DCMF’s mission to promote and defend media freedom and quality journalism around the world, the centre has been working to introduce its Media Literacy programme throughout schools in Qatar. The next step of this programme is launching similar courses in other countries across the region, and the centre is delighted to have hosted a Media Literacy workshop in the Al Noor English School in Egypt.
Rania Khaled Al-Hussaini, senior coordinator for DCMF’s Media Literacy programme, took part in a panel discussion on Promoting Youth Media and Intercultural Dialogue while members of the Media Literacy team’s Young Reporters programme took part in a Young Journalists’ Network panel session.
The conference included a number of sessions focusing on issues such as democracy and MILID and mapping MILID around the world, as well as debates and presentations on promoting MILID to young people across the globe.
“You need to be media literate”
Al-Hussaini commented: “DCMF has a high goal which is allowing everyone in the world to be media literate. As part of this, there needs to be intercultural and multinational dialogue. This conference is like a vessel that helps the media and information literacy programme reach its target audience: the Arab World.”
“Reading and writing doesn’t do it anymore. You need to be media literate,” she argued, “it allows us to understand the everyday bombardment of advertisements, news casting and any sort of media entertainment. Once we do, we can make informed decisions.”
“Generally, people fear what they don’t know. Once they know, they will go ahead. To accomplish that, we need to face our issues by reviewing, talking about and eliminating them,” she added.
Al-Hussaini explained that the centre’s participation has helped to develop its network across the region, and should support the implementation of other programmes in the future. While DCMF continues to focus efforts in Qatar, the centre is also expanding its programme in the region, looking at countries such as Bahrain, Egypt and Jordan.
“The centre will not stop in Qatar. In fact, it wants to cover the Arabic world in general,” she added.