A Collaborative Front on Media Literacy and Information Resilience in Riga
On October 30, 2024, media literacy advocates, educators, and experts from across the Baltic region gathered at the historic K.K. fon Stricka Villa in Riga for the Baltic Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Day. This event, organized by the Baltic Centre for Media Excellence, served as a critical platform for discussing challenges and strategies in fostering a media-literate society, resilient against disinformation and empowered through new digital skills.
Setting the Stage: Opening Remarks and Keynote
The day began with opening remarks from Gunta Sloga, Executive Director of the Baltic Centre for Media Excellence, emphasizing the collective mission to create a media-aware society capable of navigating today’s complex information landscape. Anne Leppäjärvi, a doctoral researcher from Tampere University and Journalism Degree Director at Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences, delivered the keynote, titled “Fighting for a Media Welfare State: What, How, and Who is in Charge?” Her presentation outlined the concept of the “Media Welfare State,” a model advocating for high media literacy, the protection of citizens’ media rights, and the inclusion of all social groups in media discussions. Leppäjärvi’s insights served as a foundational perspective, addressing how media systems can protect democratic values in an age of polarization.
Community Initiatives: Media Club Project
A session featuring the Media Club initiatives highlighted regional efforts to foster community-based media literacy. Representatives from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania showcased their work under the “Resilient Baltics” project. Irina Shlick from the Jewish Community of Estonia described Tallinn’s Media Club, a project dedicated to strengthening Jewish identity while enhancing media literacy. The program focuses on engaging youth in discussions on digital footprints, spotting misinformation, and promoting social media activism. Alina Hachetlova introduced the work of New East in Latvian media club. New East’s work was
its focus on engaging seniors through programs like the Skills Lab (name of the Media club). This initiative teaches practical digital skills, bridging the generational digital divide and fostering intergenerational connections. By including seniors in media literacy education, New East promotes inclusivity and strengthens community bonds, ensuring that all generations can participate meaningfully in digital society. Alina Hachetlova emphasized that New East’s mission is to equip individuals with the skills to make informed decisions and actively contribute to democratic processes.
Paulius Andruškevičius, from the Šiauliai County Povilas Višinskis Public Library in Lithuania, introduced their Media Club for library specialists, which has trained educators in digital literacy and content creation. This initiative not only expanded digital competencies but also aimed to establish a sustainable network of media literacy educators across regional libraries.
Panel Discussion: The Role of Communities in Media Literacy
A panel discussion titled “The Role of Communities in Teaching Media and Information Literacy” brought together diverse voices to explore how local communities can support and promote media literacy. Moderated by Gunta Sloga, the panel featured experts including Zane Matesoviča from the British Council in Latvia, Jorens Dobkevičs of New East, Linas Skirius from Civic Resilience Initiative in Lithuania, and Irina Shlick of the Jewish Community of Estonia. Panelists discussed the importance of empowering communities to take an active role in media literacy education, emphasizing that locally-led initiatives can have a profound impact on resilience against disinformation. The discussion highlighted successful examples of community engagement and underscored the need for ongoing collaboration between civic organizations and educational institutions.
Workshop Highlights: Networking and Collaboration
Maja Nenadovic facilitated a dynamic networking workshop titled “How to Make Successful Collaboration Among Baltic Media Literacy Implementers?” Through interactive exercises, participants brainstormed shared challenges—such as the need for policy support, public engagement, and curriculum integration—and developed collaborative solutions. Groups addressed how MIL could counter issues like disinformation, societal polarization, and digital divides, sparking a forward-thinking dialogue on enhancing MIL efforts through cooperation.
Navigating AI: Generative AI and Media Literacy
Lukas Keraitis, a Lithuanian tech and science communicator, led an insightful session on the applications and risks of generative AI. He demonstrated tools such as DALL-E and Midjourney for image generation, and ChatGPT for text-based automation, highlighting how these technologies are reshaping content creation. Lukas Keraitis’s discussion on the ethical implications of AI underscored the need for media literacy frameworks that include critical engagement with AI-generated content, ensuring that society can assess and verify information in an AI-saturated media environment.
Latvia’s Response to Disinformation
Rihards Bambals from Latvia’s Strategic Communication Coordination Department shared an in-depth analysis of disinformation threats targeting Latvia. He outlined strategies deployed by the government, including citizen reporting platforms and media literacy handbooks, designed to bolster resilience against propaganda. Bambals emphasized that the fight against disinformation is a societal responsibility, requiring cooperation across public, private, and academic sectors.
Empowering Future Generations
Laure Delmoly from CLEMI (France’s Media and Information Literacy Center) presented on educating students in the age of generative AI. Her approach focused on empowering students to critically analyze AI-generated content, understand the underlying algorithms, and question potential biases. By embedding MIL in educational frameworks, Delmoly advocates for a digitally aware generation capable of navigating the evolving AI landscape responsibly. Mental Health in the Digital Age The critical session of the Baltic MIL Day was dedicated to the intersection of mental health and media literacy. Annika Räim, a mental health expert from Estonia, led the workshop “Sanity in the Age of Madness?” This session examined the psychological impact of navigating today’s fast-paced digital world, where the constant flow of information and exposure to misinformation can cause emotional fatigue and mental strain. Annika offered several practical methods to calm yourself down, ground yourself, and regain energy in a short period of time.
Closing and Future Directions
Baltic MIL Day concluded with a networking session, where attendees reflected on the day’s discussions and envisioned future collaborative efforts. As participants exchanged insights, the event reinforced the idea that building media literacy across the Baltics requires a united approach. Through cross-border partnerships, the Baltic Centre for Media Excellence and its collaborators are paving the way for a more informed, resilient, and engaged media landscape. This year’s Baltic MIL Day showcased the strength of a united regional effort in addressing media literacy and disinformation. As the digital world grows increasingly complex, events like this are crucial for empowering individuals and communities to navigate media with critical insight and integrity.
