Media and Information Literacy (MIL): A Rendezvous with Information

Introduction: In the modern society, there exists a dichotomy regarding the information possessed by people. Some people are facing the problem of information overload while some are information starved. This phenomenon is also true for the qualitative aspects of information i.e., the quality of information possessed by people. So there is a divide regarding the quantity and quality of information available to the masses. This quantitative and qualitative imbalance regarding information rich and information poor forms the first layer of the problem. The second layer which is perhaps more serious is inability to analyze, comprehend, evaluate, utilize and perform other associated activities with the information available or obtained. Freedom to express, read, listen, write, produce information and communicate has been some of the fundamentals traits of the society along with others. These traits have been identified as human rights in the modern society that can be achieved effectively in with greater emphasis on Media and Information Literacy (MIL). MIL has got global acceptance as the measure to address the issue of inability discussed above. Media has emerged as a strong pillar and en effective advocator of democracy and freedom of expression. Our communication system has also been totally revamped in terms of time and space, and modes of social behaviour. All forms and formats of media represent social and cultural resources which if used appropriately has the potential to change the lives of people and society at large. MIL is considered as the key competence in a rapidly evolving society where the true natives of would be media and information literate citizens. Several significant initiatives both at national level in many countries as well as at international level have been taken to implement and promote the MIL movement. One such significant development was The International Conference Media and Information Literacy for Knowledge Societies, held in Moscow on 24-28 June, 2012. The Conference gathered approximately 130 participants from 40 countries representing all continents including India. Various aspects of MIL and the activities aimed at its promotion worldwide were discussed by executives and experts of key specialized international governmental and non-governmental agencies and organizations, world leading experts in the field of knowledge societies building; leading researchers and professors of journalism, librarianship and education; executives and representatives of government authorities responsible for educational institutions, libraries, printed and electronic media; representatives of international and national associations of media and information literacy professionals; representatives of organizations and institutions engaged in publishing professional literature on media and information literacy; media practitioner