YOUTH, INFORMATION AND COVID-19 ROLE OF MEDIA AND INFORMATION LITERACY (MIL)

Information can be thought of as the resolution of uncertainty; it is that which answers the question of "what an entity is" and thus defines both its essence and nature of its characteristics with different meanings at different contexts. Access to information is not as obvious as it may seem to every Tom, Dick and Harry being the 21st century. Even worse, access to credible information is not a guarantee especially to people in marginalized areas. Lack of credible information or too much information pauses as a breach to proper communication and informed decisions.

According to the American Library Association, “Information literacy is a set of abilities requiring individuals to 'recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information.'” During these uncertain times of the COVID-19, Information pauses to be a vital factor on the possibilities of conquering the global pandemic. Nonetheless, the fate of the pandemic does not solely lie on access to information in the world, but whether we can understand the information in the languages we speak, read and write. It also pertains the format in which it is presented. The most obvious illustration being Digital media which hinders communities that lack access to the internet hence the grapple against both the global virus and an arising issue of ‘fake news’ regarding the pandemic.

Young people are often more marginalized and criminalized ergo it is important for them to have access to information around the world as relates to opportunities i.e. Personal, social, financial, career and educational development. Access to information does not only involve the right to know, but also to properly utilization of the sought knowledge. Young people are more often than not, segregated largely on sectors in and around research and policy making hence their views are neglected.

“Lack of information access makes policies based on evidence because that evidence is lacking or there’s no access to the source of evidence.” Bushra Ebadi, GAPMIL Youth Ambassador for Europe and North America, and Youth Adviser for the Canadian Commission for UNESCO. 

YOUTH’S CONTRIBUTION TO SUPPRESSING COVID-19 

What can youth do to counter COVID-19, using media and information literacy as a tool?

1. Have proper information guides on COVID-19 from accredited online sources available in all languages; indigenous, foreign and sign languages to help publicize measures to curb the pandemic.

2. Compiling resources regarding both COVID-19 and mental health from trustworthy organizations against stigma and discrimination.

3. Invent strategies to ensure the marginalized (those who do not have access to internet) get proper and timely information with regard to the current pandemic.

4. Join initiatives geared towards spreading the message of hope as well as saving the lives of those affected or those at risk of infection within and around our communities.

5. Bring talents together to tackle COVID-related challenges to elevate community support and to be able to provide essential services. Example: Making masks, using art as a platform to educate, giving donations to the affected among others.

6. Ensure health wellness of your peers and people around you.

Information circulated during these COVID-19 times should be as less sophisticated as can. Use of intense terminologies may lead to misinterpretation and misinformation hence rendering the content less useful. Jargon languages like Social distancing for instance, was not well understood by ‘common mwananchi’ and ought to have been well broken down by the elite in the field of medicine.

POINTERS TO MEDIA AND INFORMATION LITERACY

"Information literacy empowers people in all walks of life to seek, evaluate, use and create information effectively to achieve the desired goals with the current case in point being the Corona virus. It is a basic human right in a digital world and promotes social inclusion in all nations.

Technology is not the solution; it is an enabling tool for the solutions.

Here is a snippet of what you can do to muzzle the extent of the Corona virus:

• VIGILANCE: Report misinformed, disinformed, discriminatory or racist content shared online for immediate flagging. This will avoid meaningless online wrangles. As a youth, ensure you share factual information online and offline. Don’t be a bystander. Be a real ally to people by not accepting these vices to pass off as ‘Memes’

• KEENNESS: The internet is broad with diverse information which get displayed unbiased and may poison our thoughts especially for us, millennials. Be attentive and choosy on the content your uptaking from social platforms, especially friends and families WhatsApp groups as this can lead to uncertain decisions. 

• SET THE PACE FOR CONVERSATIONS: Following the global slug, most lectures, events and conferences have shifted to online platforms. These dialogues should be moderated to regulate content and comments being posted with the consideration of age, gender, race and social differences of the audience.

• JOIN EXISTING ONLINE PROGRAMS: Following the sudden drift from life as usual, we, the youth have plenty of spare time which we can utilize for personal development. This is the time to take online courses, engage in our hobbies and build our skillsets and talents Get yourself Involved!! 

• EDUCATE OURSELVES USING TOOLS OF MIL: Engage in capacity building platforms to develop critical thinking skills from diverse verified sources. The good news is, most of them are FREE! Who does not like free legitimate things?

• FOLLOW CREDITED CAMPAIGNS ONLINE: Several organizations i.e. UNESCO, UNICEF, WHO, UNEP and GAPMIL have been and still are hosting online webinars on diverse topics like health, education, career, environment among others. It is not only wise to engage in these campaigns, but also take it offline to those without internet access while observing social distancing. This can be achieved through calling people you know.

• FORM ONLINE SUPPORT COMMUNITIES: Be an advocate for people around you on arising issues triggered by the novel virus including but not limited to mental health stability. Be your brother’s keeper!!

• If you are working, ensure you OBSERVE GUIDELINES provided by the World Health Organization and the health ministries in your country to keep yourself and your peers safe.

• DEMAND FOR ACCOUNTABILITY FROM RELEVANT BODIES: This will help to mobilize quick actions in all sectors including; healthcare, human rights, education, environment, leadership, security, peace and culture. Our power as youth lies in Media and Information Literacy. 

Together, we can fight the COVID-19 pandemic through Digitalized content.

Prioritize your health and wellbeing so as to be able to care for the communities around you!

Certified information sources include: World Health Organization, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Information & Communication, Global Alliance for Partnerships on Media and Information Literacy (GAPMIL) etc.