UNESCO Report: Media and Information Literacy (MIL) for All – Closing the Gaps

2025

UNESCO Report: Media and Information Literacy (MIL) for All – Closing the Gaps

UNESCO has published a new report, Media and Information Literacy (MIL) for All: Closing the Gaps, offering the first global overview of MIL integration in national education systems. The study maps the landscape of MIL adoption across 194 UNESCO Member States, providing a critical baseline for tracking progress and guiding evidence-based policies.

The findings reveal significant gaps. Most countries still lack systematic integration of MIL into school curricula, often limiting it to digital skills rather than the broader competencies UNESCO defines, such as critical thinking and evaluating information. MIL is mostly taught in primary and secondary schools, but rarely as a standalone subject. Regional disparities in competency integration are also evident.

While recognition of MIL is growing in policy frameworks (171 out of 194 Member States acknowledge its importance), implementation is lagging. Comprehensive teaching, dedicated funding, and sustainable national strategies remain limited.

For young people navigating a constant stream of online information, from news to AI-generated content, MIL is essential to build resilience, discernment, and critical thinking skills. UNESCO stresses that embedding MIL in formal education at all levels and anchoring it through national