Knowledge is constantly being created and shared in various forms and formats. With media and information expanding every day, it's becoming increasingly abundant and accessible, especially in this age of data and information explosion. Developing media and information literacy requires us to be patient in sorting through the vast amount of information and identifying misinformation. This also involves respecting the needs of others for information and allowing everyone to express their ideas, opinions, and thoughts without judgment or prejudice. Media and information literacy teaches us to use information and media ethically, efficiently, and effectively.
According to the National Association for Media Literacy Education (NAMLE), media literacy is the ability to “access, analyze, evaluate, create, and act” using all forms of communication.”
The Association of College & Research Libraries defines information literacy as a “set of integrated abilities encompassing the reflective discovery of information, the understanding of how information is produced and valued and the use of information in creating new knowledge and participating ethically in communities of learning”.
The term media and information literacy was coined by Alton Grizzle at UNESCO to demonstrate the interconnected nature of these two concepts and their combined influence on audiences and individuals.
"Media and information literacy is an interrelated set of competencies that help people to maximize advantages and minimize harm in the new information, digital and communication landscapes. Media and information literacy covers competencies that enable people to critically and effectively engage with information, other forms of content, the institutions that facilitate information and diverse types of content, and the discerning use of digital technologies. Capacities in these areas are indispensable for all citizens regardless of their ages or backgrounds". -- United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
Media and Information Literacy image reference: UNESCO (2017). http://www.unesco.org/new/en/communication-and-information/resources/publications-and-communication-materials/publications/full-list/global-media-and-information-literacy-assessment-framework/