Empowering Minds: Promoting Media Literacy and Digital Citizenship in Georgia
Published: Mar 19, 2024 Reading time: 2 minutes
Georgia faces strong disinformation campaigns, and media literacy is more important than ever. Together with Radio Marneuli, we are improving the digital education of over 150 young Georgians.
Students from the Samtskhe-Javakheti and Kvemo-Kartli regions participated in documentary screenings and discussed pertinent media-related topics. These discussions covered strategies for discerning fake information, combatting photo manipulations on social media networks, understanding the influence of media and propaganda, digital marketing, algorithms, and grasping the concept of digital citizenship. The programmes were organised through OWIS (One World in Schools) Media Literacy Workshops inspired by the methodology developed for schools in the Czech Republic by People in Need. These workshops provide a platform for participants to enhance their understanding of the media’s role in everyday life and develop critical thinking skills.
The OWIS methodology, which involves teaching through documentary films, was highlighted as an effective educational approach. Notably, the screening of Nicolas Veuli’s documentary “Follow Me”, which explores influencers and fake followers on Instagram, sparked engaging discussions on the societal impacts of digital platforms. During the workshop, we shared unique materials developed by PIN Georgia focused on human rights and media literacy.
Shaping Informed Classrooms: Media Literacy Workshop for Educators
In a parallel effort, the media literacy project team organised the “Media Literacy and Digital Skills in School Education” workshop in Georgia’s Imereti and Adjara regions. More than 60 teachers attended who were introduced to interactive teaching methods tailored to high-school educators.
Project manager Teona Purtskhvanidze emphasised the importance of media literacy and digital citizenship in modern education:
Initiatives like these are vital in equipping individuals, especially the younger generation, with the skills necessary to navigate the digital landscape responsibly. By promoting media literacy and digital citizenship in schools and communities, organisations like PIN are actively contributing to a more informed and empowered society. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic supports this project.
