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09/23/2019 15:10

New Book Launch: The digitization of media – a challenge for democracy

Cajsa Malmström, Communication Officer, Department of journalism, media and communication, University of Gothenburg Kommunikationsavdelningen / Communications Department
Schwedischer Forschungsrat - The Swedish Research Council

    In the age of digital communication, Media and Information Literacy (MIL) is more urgent than ever. In her new book, Ulla Carlsson, UNESCO Chair on Freedom of Expression, Media Development and Global Policy at University of Gothenburg, calls for new solutions as a part of a democracy strategy.

    Around the world, citizens are struggling to bring about an internet that is open, free and safe – that is, to abolish surveillance, control, censorship, hate speech and threats. Meanwhile, nearly half of humanity still lacks internet access. Reports of malicious and targeted cyberattacks are becoming increasingly common around the world.

    Many of the societal issues of today have to do with digitization and, not least, the ongoing transformation of media and communication culture. Following a period of optimism – especially the hopes that digitization would increase citizen engagement and participation ­– problems have surfaced.

    This is the starting point for the new book ’Understanding Media and Information Literacy (MIL) in the Digital Age’ that will be launched at the UNESCO MIL Conference in Gothenburg 24-25 September, gathering 300 participants from 5 continents. The book is edited by Ulla Carlsson.

    Google and Facebook

    ”No doubt that the complexities of modern society demand educated, skilled, communicative and reflective citizens in many different areas if democracy and social progress are to be maintained and developed”, she says. ”The many changes in the media and communication system are largely the work of new kinds of influential transnational actors like Google and Facebook. These companies with their digital platforms have evolved into economic and socio-cultural phenomena with power to totally transform the relationships between technology, capital, content and users”.

    This new media environment has opened the door to views and objectives that otherwise would not become so widely known. The risk of being exposed to misinformation and manipulation has never been greater. New ideas about freedom of expression come into play.

    ”Clearly, the balance between personal integrity, security and reliability is of crucial importance in this digital world”, says Ulla Carlsson, who emphasizes the importance of new approaches and solutions where Media and Information Literacy should be understood as a part of a whole that includes legislation and reforms in media, education and other fields of relevance ­– as part of a democratic strategy.

    About the book

    The book is a collaboration between University of Gothenburg, Region Västra Götaland and the Swedish National Commission for UNESCO. It is published by the Department of Journalism, Media and Communication (JMG).

    Read the book online: www.jmg.gu.se/understandingmil

    Journalists are welcome to the conference

    For accreditation to the Global Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Feature Conference 2019 and the Youth Agenda Forum go to www.vgregion.se/pressackrediteringMILAckreditering


    Contact for scientific information:

    For further information, please contact Ulla Carlsson, email: ulla.carlsson@gu.se, phone +46 (0) 31 786 1219, +46 (0)768 80 88 74


    Original publication:

    The book is a collaboration between University of Gothenburg, Region Västra Götaland and the Swedish National Commission for UNESCO. It is published by the Department of Journalism, Media and Communication (JMG).


    More information:

    http://www.jmg.gu.se/understandingmil
    http://www.vgregion.se/pressackrediteringMILAckreditering


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    Criteria of this press release:
    Journalists
    Media and communication sciences, Social studies
    transregional, national
    Research results
    English


     

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