mil-group7

[mil-group7]

Information and Media Literacy as a tool for Civic Responsibility and Nation-building

"In the age of information, ignorance is a choice." These profound words by renowned author and educator Donny Miller encapsulate the heart of our digital era. In a world where knowledge is at our fingertips and information flows ceaselessly through the channels of the internet, the consequences of ignorance are more evident than ever before. Media and Information Literacy (MIL) emerged as a beacon that guides us through this complex world of information, enabling us to make informed choices, take up our civic responsibilities, and contribute to nation-building.

Every day, we are bombarded with an avalanche of news, opinions, and data. Yet, as German writer, poet, and philosopher Johann Wolfgang von Goethe noted, "Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do." It's not enough to merely absorb information; we must apply our critical thinking skills to determine its authenticity and importance. In an age where misinformation and fake news escalate, MIL equips us with the tools to discern fact from fiction, to question the sources and biases present in the information we consume, and to assess the credibility of those who provide it.

MIL goes beyond empowering individuals; it emphasizes shared responsibility. As the African proverb says, "If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." MIL encourages us to work together in the pursuit of truth and accuracy. This helps bring people closer and makes our society stronger.

Media has truly made a big contribution to people's life specially nowadays; during 21st Century Period (currently). With the use of this, it became a way for the people to express themselves, to give their opinion, and to be informed with the arising issues or trends. Therefore, the world of media is now enormous. In addition, as time flies, many more types of media are being invented. The most arising type of media is the social media. Social Media has many branches: such as, the famous - Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Messenger, Telegram, etc., which people frequently used. With these social media platforms, people can express themselves freely, they can share their opinions and connect with their friends, loved ones, family and other people. However, as an advantage of media to society; as media connects people, this will also serve as a way on building the nation, where people will have unity.

Civic responsibility and nation building are two crucial aspects that contribute to the development and progress of a country. It is the recognition that we are not just individuals living in isolation, but members of a larger community with shared goals and aspirations. By working together towards common goals, citizens build strong and resilient communities that can withstand challenges and promote the well-being of all its members. A nation cannot thrive if there is widespread inequality and injustice. It is the responsibility of every citizen to work towards creating a society that is fair and just for all.

How can we, as media and information literates, help our community foster a sense of civic responsibility? As students and good citizens, we will properly apply our knowledge first in ourselves. As the saying goes, “If you want to see change, start with yourself first.” One of the best things to do is to inform them of the advantages of media and information literacy development. To persuade individuals to use media and information in a responsible manner, demonstrate to them the proper way to do so. We'll use the media to improve our country and make it a better place.Because we are media literate, we can enlighten others and spread the word about the laws set forth by our government. With this, we are able to behave responsibly as civil citizens and contribute to our community in the most effective way possible.

We can all make a difference in our communities and in our country by just being literate and using the information the media provides, but we must infuse in ourselves the idea that great learning comes with tremendous responsibility. We must remember that knowing how to use media and information effectively does not suffice; we also need to know how to do so in an ethical and proper way. To genuinely develop our country, we need to use media literacy, information literacy, and awareness of what is happening in our society.

The employment of media and information literacy as a tool for civic responsibility and nation-building is highly effective. Citizens' use of technology makes their jobs easier. Because we rely on technology so frequently nowadays, we are all aware that practically everyone uses it. We as students may contribute to the advancement of our nation by stressing to everyone in our community that media is not just limited to television. Another great approach to advance the nation would be to teach the people how to handle the media and information.

Overall, there are significant relations between information and the media. Undoubtedly, effective use of it will result in a better world. The world deserves us as individuals if we can successfully employ media, information, and technology. So, all we have to do is to be united and become media and information literate. Our lives will become more meaningful if we have an impact on other people's lives. As Marian Wright Edelman says, "Service is what life is all about."