Media and Information Literacy Training Toolkit for Malaysian Newsrooms

Happy new year! I'll start the year with another UNESCO co-publication, an 8 page guide for media organisations in Malaysia:
Loh, B.Y.H. (2025, December) Media and Information Literacy Training Toolkit for Malaysian Newsrooms. Malaysiakini & UNESCO.
There is information about Malaysiakini here. "This toolkit seeks to furnish Malaysian media with suggestions and guides on how they can implement MIL into their newsrooms to better engage with youths."
Go to https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Hl-Jp21sEBRWS2Pq2bNqu0kHXIfwK2LE/view
Photo by Sheila Webber: misty day, December 2025

Recent articles: Collaborating on teaching IL for marketing; IL in journalism; Citizen diplomats

- McGowan, B.S. (2025). Cultivating citizen diplomats: information diplomacy as pedagogy in contested information environments. Information and Learning Sciences [early online publication]. https://doi.org/10.1108/ILS-01-2025-0001 (open access)

- Bates, M., & Whitver, S. M. (2025). Negotiating discomfort: Learning from teaching library instruction in unfamiliar contexts. The Reference Librarian, 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1080/02763877.2025.2583122 (priced) 

- Mross, E.L., & Bartholomew, d. (2025). A Joint Effort: Librarians and Faculty Teaching Undergraduate Students Marketing Research Skills Using an Information Literacy Instruction Approach. Pennyslvania Libraries: Research & Practice, 13(2), https://doi.org/10.5195/palrap.2025.316 (open access) "This case study details a semester-long research project using an embedded information literacy instruction (ILI) approach using a two-part library instruction series. This program helped students learn how to conduct marketing research using licensed and free business intelligence resources in an introduction to marketing course to complete a semester-long, two-part marketing plan. ... The embedded librarian approach contributed to grade increases between parts one and two of the assignment."
Photo by Sheila Webber: lost cap, November 2025: part of the lost item series

Recent articles: media & digital literacy; podcasting

An open access journal I don't think I've covered before, Media and Communication. Each annual volume consists of a number of special issues, and this latest one (volume 13 issue 467 2025) is on Balancing Intimacy and Trust: Opportunities and Risks in Audio Journalism including, for example
- Trust in Pod: Listener Trust of News Content Heard on Different Genre Podcasts by Kristine Johnson and Michael McCall
- Intimacy in Podcast Journalism: Ethical Challenges and Opportunities in Daily News Podcasts and Documentaries by Elvira García de Torres, José M. Legorburu, David Parra-Valcarce, Concha Edo and Lilly Escobar-Artola
Go to https://www.cogitatiopress.com/mediaandcommunication/issue/view/467 

Even more relevant to this blog is an issue of volume 13 (issue 466, January 2025) on Evaluating and Enhancing Media Literacy and Digital Skills including
- Fostering Media Literacy: A Systematic Evidence Review of Intervention Effectiveness for Diverse Target Groups by Leen d'Haenens et al. (I shall pause here just to sigh and point out that this is yet another sysytematic review that does not even notice - despite there being 23 authors involved - that they failed to search for INFORMATION literacy, although they searched for online, internet and media literacy and variations thereof. I assume that none of the 23 was a librarian, who might have pointed this out. It's a shame, as this is otherwise an OK review of quantitative studies)
- Effects of a News Literacy Video on News Literacy Perceptions and Misinformation Evaluation by Rita Tang, Melissa Tully, Leticia Bode and Emily K. Vraga
- Exploring Media Literacy Formation at the Intersection of Family, School, and Peers by Nika Šušterič, Katja Koren Ošljak and Veronika Tašner
- The Effectiveness of an Educational Intervention on Countering Disinformation Moderated by Intellectual Humility by Eduard-Claudiu Gross and Delia Cristina Balaban
Go to https://www.cogitatiopress.com/mediaandcommunication/issue/view/466
Photo by Sheila Webber: blossoms almost faded, April 2025

Place of googling in writing news stories

Rupar, V., Myllylahti, M., Jones, H-G., Li, W., Mohaghegh, M. & Parisa, P. (2022). Googling it: While news search results can affect newsrooms’ perception of social issues, journalists mainly rely on it for complementary information. Interactions: Studies in Communication & Culture, 13(3), 253-273. https://doi.org/10.1386/iscc_00064_1 (open access).
I thought this was interesting as evidence in the scope of online news coverage sourced via search engines, as well as giving insights into journalistic practice "Our study highlights the significant role of search engines, particularly Google, in shaping the journalistic newsgathering process and, consequently, public understanding of social issues. The computer-assisted analysis of Google’s ‘recession’ news selection revealed distinct patterns in the distribution of news content and geographical bias towards the United States within the selection algorithm. Ethnographic research at one Auckland newsroom revealed that Google Search is a fundamental tool for journalists, albeit used primarily for basic information-gathering and fact-checking rather than in-depth investigative work." (NB, although the "publication date" is 2022, it says the article was actually received in 2024, and this is the latest issue of the journal).
Photo by Sheila Webber: the crocus circle, March 2025

Media Viability Manifesto

This report aims at identifying how "financially and editorially independent and diverse media" can be sustained. It is supported by 13 organisations, including UNESCO, Deutsche Welle Akademie, Fondation Hirondelle and IMS (International Media Support). 
"The Media Viability Manifesto (MVM) provides an urgently needed common framework for joint action from the global media development community. Its aim is three pronged: To foster conceptual clarity, to strengthen strategic collaboration between multiple stakeholders, and to align practical implementation in the field of Media Viability. The MVM is the culmination of input from 152 individuals from 55 countries and 86 organizations."
Go to https://mediaviabilitymanifesto.org/ - it is available in English, Spanish, French and Arabic It was launched with a panel session in January 2025, the recording is here https://youtu.be/wNmbv04XebE?si=RrSdLnQgtmayjxhY

Recent UNESCO news: China and Uzbekistan

Two short reports. The first reports on a meeting at the Communication University of Zhejiang, China, which included the launch of the 2023-2024 version of China's Media Literacy Blue Book.
UNESCO. (2024, December 14). UNESCO Promotes the Implementation of Media and Information Literacy Initiative in China. https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/unesco-promotes-implementation-media-and-information-literacy-initiative-china
The second gives a brief overview of the AIM programme (Empowering the Government and Citizens of Uzbekistan by Strengthening Access to Information, Accountability of Institutions, and Media Competence) (I think this is a description of the project by the main funder).
UNESCO (2025, January 6). AIM program: Enhancing access to Information, media freedom and digital literacy in Uzbekistan. https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/aim-program-enhancing-access-information-media-freedom-and-digital-literacy-uzbekistan?hub=79862
Photo by Sheila Webber: a Christmas present from last year

Nieman Lab - Predictions for Journalism, 2025

The Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard (University, USA) has published Predictions for Journalism, 2025 from "some of the smartest people in journalism and media" asking them "what they think is coming in the next 12 month". There is a North American focus, but a good number of different perspectives (and all fairly short reads) - for example Cristina Tardáguila writes about Getting beyond the fact-check "The global focus on disinformation is undeniable, and that’s a positive step. But the field has become overcrowded, with many players prioritizing performative actions over measurable results. After nearly a decade in this fight, we’re stuck in a cycle of rehashing old strategies and are in desperate need of a reset."
Go to https://www.niemanlab.org/collection/predictions-2025/
Photo by Sheila Webber: snow in November 2024 (it is also snowy at the moment, though not as snowy as this).

Action Plan on Combatting Disinformation and Misinformation through Media and Information Literacy (MIL)

This is a short publication produced by journalist unions in the South Africa region, under the auspices of UNESCO. It has actions for journalist training, collaboration, public awareness and advocacy for policy.
"This document will serve as the foundation for broader continental efforts, with FAJ [Federation of African Journalists] committed to replicating and expanding the initiative across all five regions of Africa – subject to raising the necessary resources. The goal is to ensure seamless implementation at the continental, regional, national and local levels, addressing the unique challenges posed by disinformation and misinformation.This plan envisages deployment of Media and Information Literacy (MIL) as a primary strategy for combatting false information. By empowering both journalists and the public to critically engage with the media landscape, the plan seeks to strengthen the capacity of journalists and raise awareness about disinformation"
UNESCO Office in Harare & Federation of African Journalists. (2024). Action Plan on Combatting Disinformation and Misinformation through Media and Information Literacy (MIL). UNESCO. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000391879
Photo by Sheila Webber: reflections of Christmas, November 2024

Podcast: Let’s Talk About Media and Communication

A podcast from Cogitatio Press is Let’s Talk About Media and Communication. This is part of this Portuguese publisher's communication strategy, in which they invite an author from one of their journals (all open access) to talk about their article.
In the latest podcast Mathias-Felipe de-Lima-Santos talks about Google News Initiative: A double-edged sword for journalism (arguing it could undermine independent journalism: this is the article they are talking about). This is the podcast's home page https://www.cogitatiopress.com/wp/topics/mac
Photo by Sheila Webber taken in Second Life - the podcaster, November 2023

Assembling fragments: a two-layer knowledge management tool to explore algorithms and their social functions #IST23 @asist_ec

My second liveblog from the Information Science Trends conference taking place in Uppsala, Sweden and online. It is Assembling fragments: a two-layer knowledge management tool to explore algorithms and their social functions, from Rayya Roumanos and Olivier Le Deuff. The abstract is in this archive https://zenodo.org/communities/information_science_trends/?page=1&size=20 and also here Roumanos started by explaining the aims and scope of the ALGO-J research project - which arises from collaboration between journalist and other organisations with the researchers. The aim is to to provide journalists with the necessary resources to understand and critique algorithms.
Journalists are now dependent on algorithms for various aspects of their craft, including gathering and disseminating news - as well as reporting on stories to do with algorithms. However, journalists are not necessarily algorithm-literate. The fact that the code for algorithms is hidden does not help. However there is also a certain lack of knowledge, skill and curiosity about algorithms amongst journalists. Roumanos talked about the need to opt for taking a socio-technical (rather than just a technical) perspective - there are issues of power, bias etc. in algorithms.
In order to investigate algorithms, theere is a need to make the algorithms not just visible, but hypervisible. LeDeuff talked about the Cosma tool, which enables document graph visualisation and demonstrated https://cosma.graphlab.fr/ (see photo) - leDeuff mentioned influences from the documentalist Paul Otlet and also Ted Nelson The data within the system (the "index cards" are produced by the researcher (with definitions etc. based on the literature)  and also including articles about journalism and algorithms).
Algorithms are used to create the graph, and people will be able to play with it to see the impact of the algorithm and the effect of changes to the algorithm (via sliders that are on the tool's screen). Journalists will have input to how it is developed and how it can be used, which should help them be able to understand and investigate algorithms.
The project website is at https://algoj.hypotheses.org/

New articles: Tech tools; Infolit in international masters students; Sharing partisan news

- Rybin Koob, A., Ibacache Oliva, K. S., Williamson, M., Lamont-Manfre, M., Hugen, A., & Dickerson, A. (2022). Tech Tools in Pandemic-Transformed Information Literacy Instruction. Information Technology and Libraries, 41(4). https://doi.org/10.6017/ital.v41i4.15383 "... this paper examines the digital accessibility of five tech tools used in information literacy sessions, specifically for students who use assistive technologies such as screen readers. The tools are Kahoot!, Mentimeter, Padlet, Jamboard, and Poll Everywhere." It goes through the problems in detail - a useful practical article if you are using these tools.
- Černý, J. & Potančok, M. (2023). Information literacy in international masters students: A competitive and business intelligence course perspective. Cogent Education, 10(1), 2161701. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2022.2161701 This investigates "the information literacy of international master’s students [at a Czech university], focusing on the evaluation of their information-seeking behaviour during competitive and business intelligence processes, together with the subsequent verification methods they use once the desired information is found. During this research, 207 students received a test with questions related to business information literacy, with either one or more options or free-text answers. The results showed a significant lack of information literacy in the use of information sources, including knowledge about their existence and consequent search habits, but they did at least also show a fundamental awareness of verification methods. The students also demonstrated awareness of the significance of data visualisation needs when reporting the contexts found in business intelligence process data.
- Lee, E-J. & Jang, J-W. (2023). How Political Identity and Misinformation Priming Affect Truth Judgments and Sharing Intention of Partisan News. Digital Journalism, [early online publication]. https://doi.org/10.1080/21670811.2022.2163413 "The current research investigated (a) if political identity predicts perceived truthfulness of and the intention to share partisan news, and (b) if a media literacy video that warns of misinformation (priming-video) mitigates the partisan bias by enhancing truth discernment. ... Two web-based experiments were conducted in South Korea.... Collectively, our findings demonstrate the robust operation of partisan bias in the processing and sharing of partisan news. Misinformation priming aided in the detection of falsehood, but it also induced distrust in reliable information, posing a challenge in fighting misinformation"

Photo by Sheila Webber: wreath of Central London, December 2022

Five ways media and journalists can support climate action while tackling misinformation

A recent story on the United Nations site is: Five ways media and journalists can support climate action while tackling misinformation https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/10/1129162
The 5 ways (explained in more detail in the article) are:
1. Stop being so (overly) dramatic
2. A climate change story goes beyond (the) climate
3. Get local and think more about climate justice
4. Build trust and engagement that can combat dis/misinformation
5. Be guided by science
It also cite the UN Climate communication guidelines at https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/communicating-climate-change
Photo by Sheila Webber: oak leaves, October 2022

Recent articles: Librarians and IL education; schools and literacy policies; COVID19 information; Information behaviour; Teachers' self-efficacy

The latest published issue of Journal of Librarianship and Information Science (vol. 54, issue 3) includes the following (priced unless marked as open access)
- The expanding circles of information behavior and human–computer interaction by Tim Gorichanaz, Sukrit Venkatagiri
- Relegating expertise: The outward and inward positioning of librarians in information literacy education by Alison Hicks, Annemaree Lloyd (open access)
- Information and information resources in COVID-19: Awareness, control, and prevention by Mohammadhiwa Abdekhoda, Fatemeh Ranjbaran, Asghar Sattari (open access)
- Information seeking behaviors of environmental journalists by Stacy Gilbert, Philip B. White, Kathryn Tallman
- The role of the library within school-level literacy policies and plans in Australia and the United Kingdom by Margaret K. Merga
- Teachers’ perceived information literacy self-efficacy by Miri Shonfeld, Noa Aharony, Noa Nadel-Kritz
Go to https://journals.sagepub.com/toc/lisb/54/3
Photo by Sheila Webber: my hydrangea, August 2022

New article: How Disinformation Reshaped the Relationship between Journalism and Media and Information Literacy

An interesting new article from Professor Divina Frau-Meigs
Frau-Meigs, D. (2022). How Disinformation Reshaped the Relationship between Journalism and Media and Information Literacy (MIL): Old and New Perspectives Revisited. Digital Journalism https://doi.org/10.1080/21670811.2022.2081863
"The fight against rampant disinformation has triggered two major answers: fact-checking and news literacy. These affect the established fields of journalism and of Media and Information Literacy (MIL). They create opportunities for new entrants from the margins to enter professional fields in need of revamping. Using information and communication sciences research on policy and organizations and on the interplay between agency, platforms and networks, this analysis focuses on three main criteria for evaluating the field-configuring role of disinformation: policy rules and professional canons (to regain some lost political and economic ground), key events and projects (to provide sense-making strategies), and interactions with audiences and communities (to restore trust and reputation). Focusing on the European Union as main terrain of analysis due to its pioneering initiatives, this analysis first considers the mutual benefits afforded by the fight against disinformation. Then considers three main challenges: MIL risks being reduced to news literacy, digital journalism risks being reduced to fact-checking, and the disinformation discourse risks downscaling the emphasis on information. It concludes with the implications for the future for all actors to effect real field change in MIL and journalism."
Photo by Sheila Webber, huge rambling rose, May 2022

Recent articles: Journalism; active learning; disciplinary standards; teaching assistants; international students

The last issue of priced journal Portal: libraries and the academy (volume 21 issue 4) includes:
- Redesigning a Journalism Course to Integrate IL: A Case Study by Piotr S. Bobkowski, Karna Younger, John C. Watson
- Participation and Presence: Interrogating Active Learning by Alison Hicks, Caroline Sinkinson
- Teaching Assistants’ Research Assignments and Information Literacy by Glenn Koelling, Alyssa Russo
- An Analysis of References to Information Literacy in National Disciplinary Standards by Kendall Faulkner, Tiffanie Ford-Baxter
- Understanding Ethics and Quality in Information Literacy: A Multidimensional Approach by María Pinto, Dora Sales, Rosaura Fernández-Pascual
- “Hay muchos Méxicos”: A New Approach to Designing International Information Literacy Instruction by Alison Hicks, Bronwen K. Maxson, Betsaida M. Reyes
- Effects of Students’ Demographic and Academic Characteristics on Library Use: A Perspective from Pakistan by Alia Arshad, Faiqa Mansoor, Khalid Mahmood
Go to https://muse.jhu.edu/issue/46379
Photo by Sheila Webber: the wreath & bells at number 21, December 2021

Trust in News

Last week there was the Trust in News conference, part of the Trusted News initiative. It seems like the output that you can watch (on the BBC website, link below) consists of four panels lasting about 40-55 minutes each (plus a 6 minute highlight video). The panels are:
- The view from the frontline ("Jon Sopel, BBC North America Editor is joined by BBC Director General, Tim Davie and Rasmus Kleis Nielsen, Director of the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism")
- Fact checking masterclass ("Jon Sopel, BBC North America Editor is joined by: Maria Clara Pestre, Brazil-based fact checker for AFP, will reveal the challenges she faces when trying to fact check politicians, including President Jair Bolsonaro; Hazel Baker, Head of UGC Newsgathering, Reuters, explains how debunking takes time, and also shares the critical questions to ask if you’re asked to fact check under pressure; Peter Mwai, Kenya-based journalist for BBC Reality Check.")
- Young people: The first line of defence (apparently "When misinformation enters the home, it’s often down to the young people to separate fact from fiction, to keep their relatives safe." "Philippa Thomas, Chief Presenter for BBC News is joined by: Ankur Garg, Country Director Indonesia, BBC Media Action talks about the success of using fast fiction, radio drama to inform audiences across Indonesia; Abbie Richards, Science communicator and Tik Tok creator. Her videos about disinformation and Q Anon have gone viral, seen by millions on different social platforms. She’ll explain how to create relatable content for younger audiences.")
- The tech giants’ role ("BBC Technology Correspondent, Rory Cellan-Jones is joined by: Ben McOwen Wilson, Regional Director, YouTube EMEA and MD YouTube UK and Ireland; Markus Reinisch , VP Public Policy, Facebook EMEA; Sinéad McSweeney, VP for Public Policy in Europe, Twitter EMEA and MD Twitter Dublin")

Additionally on the Beyond Fake News/ Trusted News page which hosts these videos are a number of vieos and advice articles about fake news, disinformation etc., in particular stressing the role and value of journalism and media literacy. Go to https://www.bbc.co.uk/beyondfakenews/

Photo by Sheila Webber: Blackthorn & gorse on the heath, March 2021 (in fact the blackthorn blossom is already fading, after a week...)

Recent articles: disinformation, infodemics and COVID19; reporters' information practices; information encountering

First a few from the priced publication Online Information Review:
(Early online publication) Information sources, practices and barriers: a situated and context-bound model of Pakistani electronic media reporters by Tauseef Hussain, Syeda Hina Batool, Amara Malik, Syed Waqas Hussain, Khalid Mahmood https://doi.org/10.1108/OIR-07-2020-0308
(Early online publication) A cross-national diagnosis of infodemics: comparing the topical and temporal features of misinformation around COVID-19 in China, India, the US, Germany and France by Jing Zeng, Chung-hong Chan https://doi.org/10.1108/OIR-09-2020-0417
In the most recent "published" issue Online Information Review, Volume 45 Issue 1
- Research information encountering and keeping behaviour of post-graduate students of social sciences in an online environment by Waqar Ahmad Awan, Kanwal Ameen, Saira Hanif Soroya
- User motivation in fake news sharing during the COVID-19 pandemic: an application of the uses and gratification theory by Oberiri Destiny Apuke, Bahiyah Omar

In the open access journal Indonesian Journal of Science and Technology (vol. 5 issue 2): Students’ Intention to Share Information Via Social Media: A Case Study of Covid-19 Pandemic by Suhaizal Hashim, Alias Masek, Nurhanim Saadah Abdullah, Aini Nazura Paimin, Wan Hanim Nadrah Wan Muda https://ejournal.upi.edu/index.php/ijost/article/view/24586

Photo by Sheila Webber: broom in flower, February 2021

Digital Native News Media: Trends and Challenges

Volume 8 issue 2 of the open access journal Media and Communication was devoted to the theme of Digital Native News Media: Trends and Challenges (by which is meant news media that are "born digital", not media aimed at digital natives, looking particularly at hispanic contexts). The articles include: 

-Information Quality in Latin American Digital Native Media: Analysis Based on Structured Dimensions and Indicators by Claudia Rodríguez-Hidalgo, Diana Rivera-Rogel and Luis M. Romero-Rodríguez 

- Cross-National Similarities and Differences between Legacy and Digital-Born News Media Audiences by Alfonso Vara-Miguel 

- Business Model Innovation in News Media: Fostering New Relationships to Stimulate Support from Readers by Giuliander Carpes da Silva and Gabriela Gruszynski Sanseverino 

- Why Do Digital Native News Media Fail? An Investigation of Failure in the Early Start-Up Phase by Christopher Buschow 

- Behind the Comments Section: The Ethics of Digital Native News Discussions by Orge Castellano Parra, Koldobika Meso Ayerdi and Simón Peña Fernández 

- Media Roles in the Online News Domain: Authorities and Emergent Audience Brokers by Sílvia Majó-Vázquez, Ana S. Cardenal, Oleguer Segarra and Pol Colomer de Simón 

- Between Self-Regulation and Participatory Monitoring: Comparing Digital News Media Accountability Practices in Spain by Pedro-Luis Pérez-Díaz, Rocío Zamora Medina and Enrique Arroyas Langa 

 Go to https://www.cogitatiopress.com/mediaandcommunication/issue/view/174

Photo by Sheila Webber: crib (the basis of which is a set I was given by an aunt when I was about 7), December 2020

New articles: News credibility; Students preferred text format; Academic websites' information for those with disabilities

Articles from the latest issue (vol 81 no 5) of open access College and Research Libraries includes:
- News Credibility: Adapting and Testing a Source Evaluation Assessment in Journalism by Piotr S. Bobkowski, Karna Younger "This paper discusses the development of a source evaluation assessment, and presents the results of using this instrument in a one-semester information literacy course for journalism students."
- Beyond the Surveys: Qualitative Analysis from the Academic Reading Format International Study (ARFIS) by Diane Mizrachi, Alicia M. Salaz "The Academic Reading Format International Study (ARFIS) collected data from more than 21,000 university students in 33 countries regarding their reading format (print or electronic) preferences and behaviors when engaging with academic texts during a three-year period. Quantitative analysis shows a consistent preference for print reading among most students worldwide. This paper presents new findings from our qualitative analysis of students’ survey comments"
- “Without That Detail, I’m Not Coming”: The Perspectives of Students with Disabilities on Accessibility Information Provided on Academic Library Websites by Amelia Brunskill
Go to https://crl.acrl.org/index.php/crl/issue/view/1582/showToc
Photo by Sheila Webber: Hydrangea, July 2020

Research on news/ journalism/ social media

Harvard's Nieman Lab has an article listing what they term "10 of the most important pieces of new research into digital and social media published in 2017", but it is really more focused on news/journalism research. Some interesting items e.g. on news avoidance; on whether journalists influence the democratic process.
Ordway, D. (2018, 2 January). Cross-examining the network: The year in digital and social media research.
http://www.niemanlab.org/2018/01/cross-examining-the-network-the-year-in-digital-and-social-media-research/
Earlier stories on the site are also interesting e.g. one on fake news