UNESCO Supports Training of Trainers Workshop for Kenya Youth Leaders on Media and Information Literacy

In Kenya, social media has positioned itself at the center of civic engagement and democratic process. With better access and wider internet connectivity, access to information has become easier to the masses. Nonetheless, this massive surge in online content consumption has unfortunately contributed to an increase in the volume of disinformation, misinformation and other forms of harmful content.

UNESCO through the Multi-Donor Programme on Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists supported the Africa Centre for People, Institutions, and Society (ACEPIS) to facilitate a training of trainers' workshop on Media and Information Literacy to tackle dis/misinformation and promote responsible digital citizenship from 2 to 6 June 2022 in Kenya.

This intervention attracted the participation of 328 youth leaders comprising of 154 girls and 174 men drawn from various organizations across the 47 counties in Kenya. The 3-day knowledge exchange workshop was based on contextualized modules and toolkits developed by UNESCO and partners such as the New Media and Information Literate Citizens: Think Critically, Click Wisely (Second Edition of the Model Media and Information Literacy Curriculum for Educators and Learners). This was complemented by social media awareness-raising campaign #ClickResponsiblyKE that ran simultaneously with the virtual training sessions. This facilitated the exchange of messages on how to promote online safety and participant commitments to countering harmful content within their circles of influence.

In his opening remarks, John Okande, National Programme Officer at the Communication and Information Sector at UNESCO stated, "A global citizen is one who knows right and wrong within the digital sphere, someone who can responsibly use digital platforms not to harm, not to malign anyone and not to advance unauthenticated information or propaganda. UNESCO has been supporting a series of MIL-based trainings and initiatives, which have been geared towards exposing young people to different skills and competencies on Media, and Information Literacy enabling them to be responsible digital citizens."

While acknowledging the importance of new media and some of the challenges associated with it, Dr. Charles Nyambuga, Senior Lecturer, Department of Communication & Media Technology at Maseno University stated, "Traditionally, we relied on journalists to be the main information transmitters through mass media which is controlled by various laws and regulations. However, in the last decade, the digital sector has expanded this and opened the whole area to a lot of different possibilities for misuse by persons with varied interests. This calls for the need to enhance users' information literacy knowledge, to enable them make informed and conscious decisions."

Ms Rosalia Omungo, Chief Executive Officer, Editor's Guild during the workshop also stated that: "One of the main issues facing editors in newsrooms is the high-profile faking of newspaper headlines and front pages which enhances information disorder especially during this electioneering period. To counter this, the Kenya Editors Guild has created a factchecking desk to help serve the industry and provide collaborative functions in the country. and train people on fact checking and supporting similar initiatives."

Young people are active and frequent users of social media, and therefore, are the most vulnerable to the implications of information disorder. Beyond calls for social media regulation and verification, there is an urgent need to consider media and information literacy as a way of minimizing consumer vulnerability to the threat of harmful online content. Ms Rachel Olpengs, Programmes Manager, ACEPIS commented that, "as the leaders of today, the youth need to be empowered to meaningfully use their time on digital platforms and be at the forefront of fighting fake news and disinformation. Equipping them with the necessary MIL knowledge and skills enables them to be cautious and discerning users and consumers of online content."

Chrisantus Okelo Okaka, a youth leader from Siaya County committed towards reshaping peace narratives. She said, "as the co-founder and executive director of Anka Young farmers and a young blogger, I engage much online. I meet various underhand posts. Of course, we also have numerous authentic posts. Thus, I will use the skills gained from the training to churn the content my team and I consume. As a youth leader, I will engage youths in a myriad of social media platforms to only consume authentic content."

Asha Liban from Marsabit County, committed to being a digital ambassador. She stated, "my commitment is to be a digital peace ambassador by encouraging fellow youths to share relevant and authentic information to curb misinformation and disinformation as well as create safe digital spaces through my Community Based Organization, Empowered to Empower Initiative in Marsabit. Thank you for the insightful conversation and training."

UNESCO will continue to support the development of MIL competencies among people. Free and open online courses are available for self-paced learning about MIL. Through media and information technologies, the UNESCO facilitates networking and research through the Global Alliance for Partnerships on MIL and MIL University Network.