About

What is MIL?

MIL is a composite term including both media literacy and information literacy. Both terms refer to a similar set of skills and issues. The individual terms (media literacy and information literacy) are more commonly used within the United States. The composite term, MIL, is more commonly used outside the United States.

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 combined term “media and information literacy” was developed by Alton Grizzle at UNESCO to signify the interrelated nature of these two terms and how they work together to influence audiences and individuals.

Our work is strategically aligned around three areas:

Vision 

Highlights

Sherri Hope Culver appointed UNESCO Chair in Media and Information Literacy.

Sherri Hope Culver appointed to Global MIL Board academic and research representative.

Published research report, The Quality Question: Why Children’s Media Must Aim High

Held an event for local creators to screen standout children’s media program from Prix Jeunesse Festival

Sherri appeared as a guest on the “Children and Screens” webinar. Webinar shared insights on how the development of critical thinking skills and media literacy can help children stay safe online.

Panelist for the UNESCO-led “Global Media and Information Literacy” discussion for Global MIL Week.

Panelists on “Al, Ethics and Society: Media, Information and Technology for the Good” for Global Media and Information Literacy Week. Sherri’s presentation was titled, “Addressing Benefits and Concerns of Generative Al: This Time the Needs of Children and Youth Must Come First”.

Announced the First Two Graduates of the Certificate in Children’s Media, Vivian Allegretti (KLN 24’) and Reilly Ennals (KLN 24’)

Produced the television series Media Inside Out. Recent topics: The Influence of Televised Presidential Debates, How Social Media Shapes Our Health Decisions, and Teens Talk

Member: UNESCO UNITWIN in Media and Information Literacy and Intercultural Dialogue 

The CMIL represents Klein College and Temple University in UNESCO’s UNITWIN global university collaborative network in media and information literacy and intercultural dialogue. This designation connects the CMIL to a select group of universities worldwide collaborating on global media and information literacy initiatives. Responsibilities include participating in collaborative projects, attending the annual meeting, and advising on global media literacy issues.

Details here: https://en.unesco.org/themes/media-and-information-literacy/milidnetwork

The CMIL has been an integral part of several reports launched by UNESCO to solidify the notion of MIL including;

• Research study and report, Survey on Privacy in MIL with Youth Perspectives

• Production of the annual Global MIL Yearbook
• Production of the Global Framework for MIL Cities

Affiliations 

• Poynter Institute’s Global Media Literacy Network. Advisory committee. (2022-present)
• National Association for Media Literacy Education. Organizational partner. (2012-present)
• UNESCO UNITWIN MILID (University Twining and Networking Programme in Media and Information Literacy and Intercultural Dialogue) Founding member. (2012 to present)
• UNESCO Global Media and Information Literacy Alliance. Member. (2013-present)
• Journal of Media Literacy Education. Editorial board. (2018-2022)

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