Mr. Stephen Tindi, UniMAC-IJ Lecturer
By Bright Philip Donkor
Mr. Stephen Tindi, a lecturer at the Department of Communication at University of Media, Arts and Communication – Institute of Journalism (UniMAC-IJ), has emphasised the urgent need for enhanced media and information literacy (MIL) education.
He believes this will help in shaping a future generation capable of thriving in the digital age while upholding the integrity of information dissemination and consumption.
He made the call during a training programme for some selected journalists on disinformation and misinformation organised by iWatch Africa, in partnership with Impact Amplifier at the Yiri Lodge, University of Ghana, Legon. It was under the theme “Fortifying the watchdogs: Tracking and Dismantling Online Harassment of Women Journalists in Ghana.”
According to the 2020 nationwide survey conducted for DW Akademie’s MIL INDEX study on the MIL skills of youthful Ghanaians, 15-25-year-olds generally demonstrate strong skills in action and analysis, and moderate to strong abilities in access and creation.
However, the area where they showed the most room for improvement was in reflection. The MIL INDEX score of 59.5, out of 100, places young Ghanaians in the upper mid-range category for media and information literacy skills.
Integration MIL into curriculum
Mr. Tindi expressed his firm belief that integrating MIL into the basic and senior high school curricula is essential for Ghana’s educational and societal advancement.
He stressed the critical role of MIL in shaping informed citizens capable of navigating today’s complex media landscape. He said a public proficient in critical thinking and digital literacy is better equipped to evaluate online information, discern trustworthy sources, and make informed decisions as responsible citizens and consumers.
He underscored that MIL encompasses practical skills as well as a deep understanding of the digital landscape and its dynamics. This understanding, he noted, is crucial as digital and media environments evolve continuously, making MIL a lifelong journey.
He deemed the rapid proliferation of digital media and the spread of disinformation and misinformation as pressing issues that required urgent attention.
He said information literacy was crucial for socio-economic development and the need to build the competences of individuals and societies to be able to analyse data, in whichever form, was key to helping them contribute meaningfully to the growth of the country.
He further indicated that advanced democracies had given priority to enhancing the education and skills of their citizenry on the effective sourcing for information and their usage.
Enhancing democratic participation
Mr. Tindi also stressed the importance of providing media professionals with education about the impacts of disinformation, particularly as the nation approaches the December 7 polls.
He noted that this is for the benefit of numerous citizens who source their information from the mass media, including social media, to inform their voting decisions.
He said the effects of disinformation were deadly because these campaigns detract people from crucial societal issues, have the potential to ignite conflicts, and ultimately undermine Ghana’s enviable democracy.
Role of journalists
The UniMAC-IJ lecturer urged journalists to leverage their roles as gatekeepers of information to uphold journalistic integrity and public trust. He acknowledged the complexity of combating disinformation, but remained optimistic about the collective impact of media literacy training.
Mr. Tindi emphasised the workshop’s role in equipping participants with practical tools to distinguish truth from falsehoods and promote responsible reporting practices.
“Your training today will be one of the interventions towards improving media and information literacy in Ghana. I strongly believe that if we work together, we can improve quality of civil discourse and sanitize the environment that allows fake news and disinformation to spread,” he reiterated.
He, therefore, called for a concerted effort from all stakeholders to fortify the media landscape against the proliferation of fake news. “If we collaborate effectively, we can elevate the quality of public discourse, and diminish the influence of information disorder,” he stressed.
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