University of Kwazulu-Natal

Media And Information Literacy In The Disinformation Age

Bonisiwe Shabane
-
media and information literacy in the disinformation age

Disinformation is more complex than ever, making media and information literacy education crucial. Image: Unsplash/Hartano Creatives The ability to critically engage with information is more important than ever. From viral falsehoods and deepfakes to emotionally manipulative content designed to mislead or divide, the information environment has become increasingly complex and opaque. In this context, media and information literacy have emerged as a global priority, recognized not only as a key individual skill set but also a foundational pillar for safeguarding democratic discourse, social cohesion and... Media and information literacy equips individuals with the tools to access, analyze, evaluate and create information responsibly, empowering them to navigate a digital ecosystem shaped by algorithmic curation, commercial incentives and evolving threats.

Yet, its significance extends beyond personal empowerment. As disinformation campaigns grow more sophisticated and pervasive, the need for a whole-of-society approach becomes clear, one that integrates media and information literacy into education systems, workplace training, public service messaging and digital platform... by <img width="40" height="40" src="https://www.beingguru.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/WhatsApp-Image-2023-12-20-at-12.54.46_33b3c25b-48x48.jpg" class="avatar avatar-40 photo" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://www.beingguru.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/WhatsApp-Image-2023-12-20-at-12.54.46_33b3c25b-48x48.jpg 48w, https://www.beingguru.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/WhatsApp-Image-2023-12-20-at-12.54.46_33b3c25b-292x300.jpg 292w, https://www.beingguru.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/WhatsApp-Image-2023-12-20-at-12.54.46_33b3c25b-146x150.jpg 146w, https://www.beingguru.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/WhatsApp-Image-2023-12-20-at-12.54.46_33b3c25b-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.beingguru.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/WhatsApp-Image-2023-12-20-at-12.54.46_33b3c25b-24x24.jpg 24w, https://www.beingguru.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/WhatsApp-Image-2023-12-20-at-12.54.46_33b3c25b-96x96.jpg 96w, https://www.beingguru.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/WhatsApp-Image-2023-12-20-at-12.54.46_33b3c25b-300x300.jpg 300w, https://www.beingguru.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/WhatsApp-Image-2023-12-20-at-12.54.46_33b3c25b.jpg 415w" sizes="(max-width: 40px) 100vw, 40px" /> Hajra Naz July... In today’s fast-changing digital world, disinformation is no longer a fringe issue—it’s a global threat. From fake news and deepfakes to AI-generated propaganda, the scale and complexity of false information have reached unprecedented levels. The rise of generative AI has only amplified the problem, making it easier to blur the lines between truth and fiction.

To build a more resilient society, media and information literacy must become a lifelong skill—not just for students but for people of all ages and professions. The World Economic Forum’s recent report, Rethinking Media Literacy: A New Ecosystem Model for Information Integrity, outlines a comprehensive approach to addressing this challenge. It introduces a dual-framework model that maps both the lifecycle of disinformation and the broader social systems it impacts. Media and information literacy is no longer just about reading the news. Today, it includes digital skills, AI knowledge, privacy, human rights, and even cybersecurity. It helps people find, understand, and create information across different platforms.

These skills are key in a world shaped by algorithms and constant distractions. This kind of literacy is now seen as essential. It’s not only about helping individuals make smart choices. It also protects democracy, builds public trust, and keeps societies strong. Voitovych, N.; Kitsa, M.; Mudra, I. Media Education and Media Literacy as a Factor in Combating Disinformation.

Journal. Media 2025, 6, 188. https://doi.org/10.3390/journalmedia6040188 Voitovych N, Kitsa M, Mudra I. Media Education and Media Literacy as a Factor in Combating Disinformation. Journalism and Media.

2025; 6(4):188. https://doi.org/10.3390/journalmedia6040188 Voitovych, Natalia, Mariana Kitsa, and Iryna Mudra. 2025. "Media Education and Media Literacy as a Factor in Combating Disinformation" Journalism and Media 6, no. 4: 188.

https://doi.org/10.3390/journalmedia6040188 Voitovych, N., Kitsa, M., & Mudra, I. (2025). Media Education and Media Literacy as a Factor in Combating Disinformation. Journalism and Media, 6(4), 188. https://doi.org/10.3390/journalmedia6040188

Academia.edu no longer supports Internet Explorer. To browse Academia.edu and the wider internet faster and more securely, please take a few seconds to upgrade your browser. 2023, KAIROS: Media and Communications Review We are living in the disinformation age or in that of a revolution in propaganda, which gives rise to fragile democracies, vulnerable citizens, less capable deliberations, new forms of subversion, misuse of information by... North Macedonia is a highly fragmented and polarized society, which gives space to the impact of malign actors for achieving their geopolitical goals such as to destabilize, weaken ties with the West or just... Resilience, thus, has become the shield of contemporary information warfare.

Media and Information Literacy education through the development of critical thinking in the young generation is a conditio sine qua non for building resilience to disinformation. This study argues that universities as agents of change have the mission to lead the process of building societal resilience through Media and Information Literacy education. In this paper the researchers from the Media Literacy and Disinformation Research Cluster at Max van der Stoel Institute (MVDSI), South East European University (SEEU) through a mixed-method–approach based on both qualitative and quantitative... Data from the staff questionnaire (n=45) suggest that the majority of academic staff members across all SEEU faculties and institutes perceive Media and Information Literacy education as one of the ways to make youth... Moreover, the student questionnaire (n=105) revealed similar results. SEEU students stated their desire for the introduction of Media and Information Literacy as an elective course in their curricula, as one of the best ways to become resilient to disinformation on the internet.

Ways and modalities of implementation and course content remain objects of exploration. Keywords: disinformation, resilience, Media and Information Literacy education, SEEU. Modern societies are characterized by unprecedently broad and fast diffusion of various forms of false and harmful information. Military personnel's motivation to defend their country may be harmed by their exposure to disinformation. Therefore, specific education and training programs should be devised for the military to systematically improve (social) media literacy and build resilience against information influence activities. In this article, we put forward a useful methodological approach to designing such programs based on a case study: the process of developing a media literacy learning platform tailored to the needs of the...

The approach is grounded in data on (a) the current needs and skills of the learners, (b) the kinds of influence activities that the learners may encounter, and (c) the learning design principles that... Combating Disinformation in the Digital Age: A Global Call for Media Literacy In an era defined by instant access to information, the proliferation of disinformation poses a significant threat to societies worldwide. Disinformation, defined as deliberately misleading information disseminated to manipulate public opinion and erode trust in established media, has become increasingly prevalent in the digital landscape. From social media platforms like Facebook and TikTok to messaging apps like WhatsApp, false narratives can spread rapidly, jeopardizing public discourse and hindering access to accurate information during critical events such as elections, conflicts,... Recognizing the urgency of this issue, the Global Cooperation and Training Framework (GCTF) convened a workshop in Taipei, Taiwan, focusing on media literacy as a crucial defense against the insidious spread of disinformation.

The GCTF workshop brought together a diverse array of stakeholders, including government officials, media professionals, academics, and civil society representatives from around the globe. The central theme of the workshop revolved around empowering individuals with the skills to critically assess information and identify disinformation. Participants engaged in discussions on best practices for combating disinformation, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between governments, civil society organizations, and media outlets. The workshop underscored the need for a multi-faceted approach to address the complex challenges posed by disinformation, recognizing that media literacy is a shared responsibility. The workshop highlighted the critical role of fact-checking in countering disinformation. Participants learned techniques for verifying information and identifying misleading narratives.

The importance of questioning the source and motivation behind information was emphasized, as disinformation often stems from biased or propagandistic agendas. Recognizing that disinformation campaigns frequently target specific demographics or exploit existing societal divisions, the workshop explored strategies for tailoring media literacy initiatives to address specific vulnerabilities. Case studies from various countries provided real-world examples of the impact of disinformation and the effectiveness of media literacy interventions. One participant from the Kingdom of Eswatini shared her experience with combating false information about her country’s political system. She emphasized the importance of correcting misconceptions and providing accurate information to counter misleading narratives. Another participant from Thailand highlighted the challenges posed by disinformation in the context of regional conflicts, where online propaganda can exacerbate tensions and fuel animosity.

People Also Search

Disinformation Is More Complex Than Ever, Making Media And Information

Disinformation is more complex than ever, making media and information literacy education crucial. Image: Unsplash/Hartano Creatives The ability to critically engage with information is more important than ever. From viral falsehoods and deepfakes to emotionally manipulative content designed to mislead or divide, the information environment has become increasingly complex and opaque. In this conte...

Yet, Its Significance Extends Beyond Personal Empowerment. As Disinformation Campaigns

Yet, its significance extends beyond personal empowerment. As disinformation campaigns grow more sophisticated and pervasive, the need for a whole-of-society approach becomes clear, one that integrates media and information literacy into education systems, workplace training, public service messaging and digital platform... by <img width="40" height="40" src="https://www.beingguru.com/wp-content/u...

To Build A More Resilient Society, Media And Information Literacy

To build a more resilient society, media and information literacy must become a lifelong skill—not just for students but for people of all ages and professions. The World Economic Forum’s recent report, Rethinking Media Literacy: A New Ecosystem Model for Information Integrity, outlines a comprehensive approach to addressing this challenge. It introduces a dual-framework model that maps both the l...

These Skills Are Key In A World Shaped By Algorithms

These skills are key in a world shaped by algorithms and constant distractions. This kind of literacy is now seen as essential. It’s not only about helping individuals make smart choices. It also protects democracy, builds public trust, and keeps societies strong. Voitovych, N.; Kitsa, M.; Mudra, I. Media Education and Media Literacy as a Factor in Combating Disinformation.

Journal. Media 2025, 6, 188. Https://doi.org/10.3390/journalmedia6040188 Voitovych N, Kitsa M,

Journal. Media 2025, 6, 188. https://doi.org/10.3390/journalmedia6040188 Voitovych N, Kitsa M, Mudra I. Media Education and Media Literacy as a Factor in Combating Disinformation. Journalism and Media.