A full week of Media Literacy events with MLA and associated organisations!

Official launch of the EDMO Guidelines for Effective Media Literacy Initiatives, a key resource aimed at elevating media literacy efforts across Europe and beyond. These guidelines, developed by the EDMO Working Group (formerly known as the Standards and Best Practices in Media Literacy) with extensive input from EDMO hubs, practitioners, and experts, offer clear and practical principles for both new and ongoing media literacy initiatives.

EDMO’s goal is to strengthen public resilience against online misinformation and disinformation by providing best practices that empower, educate, and engage diverse audiences. The guidelines are structured around 12 key principles, organised into sections covering the stages of an initiative: developing, implementing, and reviewing. These principles emphasise the importance of setting clear goals, promoting critical thinking, inclusivity, ethical conduct, adaptability, and robust evaluation.

This session begun with a panel discussion featuring members of the EDMO Working Group. It provided an opportunity for the media literacy community to exchange ideas and discuss the application of these principles.

Moderators: Sally Reynolds, Media and Learning/EDMO & Emma Goodman, EUI/LSE/EDMO

• Paula Gori, EUI/EDMO
• Martina Chapman, Media Literacy Ireland
• Maia Klaassen, University of Tartu, Estonia
• Sonia Livingstone, LSE, United Kingdom

This panel discussion, part of UNESCO Global MIL Week and co-organised by the Media Learning Association and the Poynter Institute, explored the critical issues of localising and customising media literacy resources in the context of AI. The session addressed the challenges AI presents, such as mistranslations, misinterpretations, content filtering, biases, and stereotypes, and discussed how these issues impact global perspectives and best practices. Featuring insights from researchers and practitioners, the discussion highlighted opportunities to navigate AI’s complexities and promote effective, culturally sensitive media literacy education.

Moderators: Sally Reynolds, MLA and Brittani Kollar, Poynter Institute – MediaWise

Speakers:

• Mariana Ochs, EducaMidia/Palavra Aberta, Brazil
• Syed Nazakat, DataLEADS, India
• Louise Hisayasu, Tactical Tech

This session, part of UNESCO Global MIL Week and co-organised by the Media Learning Association and Media Education Lab, was dedicated to exploring media literacy as a proactive tool for resisting harmful communication, preventing extremism, and fostering stronger, more inclusive, and respectful communities.

The session spotlighted the work of the Media Education Lab, with a focus on the COURAGEOUS RI project and other initiatives aimed at building social cohesion. Through presentations and dialogue, participants examined how education and awareness can reduce violence driven by divisive communication, and how media literacy can be leveraged to create impactful change.

Moderators: Sally Reynolds, MLA and Renee Hobbs, Media Education Lab

Speakers:

• Renee Hobbs & Pam Steager, Media Education Lab, United States, presenting CourageousRI: Applying media literacy to depolarize.
• Caroline Lindekamp, CORRECTIV, Germany presenting Faktenforum.
• Jeff Kaufmann and Debora Plein, Service National de la Jeunesse (SNJ), Luxembourg presenting #NOHATEONLINE campaign and BEE SECURE Spotline.

As part of UNESCO Global MIL Week and co-organised by the Media Learning Association and DW Akademie, this session highlighted exemplary media literacy approaches that foster inclusion and engagement with specific groups, such as indigenous populations, rural communities, underserved youth, and individuals with learning disabilities.

The session spotlighted the work of various projects and initiatives from Africa, Latin America, Occupied Palestinian Territories, and Europe. It showcased a variety of hands-on media approaches and pedagogical methods that ensure interaction and creative learning to improve social cohesion and active dialogue. Through presentations and dialogue, participants explored how media literacy can be leveraged to create impactful change in vulnerable communities.

Moderators: Sally Reynolds, MLA and Patricia Noboa Armendariz, DWA

Speakers:

• Hania Bitar, Director PYALARA (Palestinian Youth Association for Leadership and Rights Activation), Occupied Palestinian Territories
• Rachel Nghimulitete, a MiLLi* facilitator and Radio host, Namibia
• Pablo Cruz, Audiovisual Producer, Communicares, Guatemala
• Hugo Bensancon, SQUARE, France

In the digital age, influencers and young content creators hold significant influence over youth audiences. By leveraging their reach and creativity and embracing the fact that they represent their generation’s voice, organisations can amplify media literacy messages and create impactful interventions. This 90-minute EDMO training explored the collaborative process between NGOs, civil society actors, government bodies, and influencers, young content creators.

We discussed how to identify and engage with the right influencers, establish mutually beneficial partnerships, determine the most appropriate social media platforms and formats for various interventions, and measured the impact of these initiatives. Attendees left with actionable advice for initiating collaborations and maximising their media literacy efforts.

Moderators: Sally Reynolds, MLA and Lisa Ginsborg, EUI/EDMO

Speakers:

• Jane McGarrigle, Webwise, Ireland
• Deike Schulz and Charlotte van Hassel, the European Influencers Academy, The Netherlands
• Pieter Blomme, Chase and Wim Vanobberghen, VRT, Belgium