UNESCO IITE has published a Russian-language version of the brief “Media and Information Literacy for All: Closing the Gaps”, produced by the UNESCO Unit for Media and Information Literacy and Digital Competencies.
The publication offers the global analysis of the current state of play of media and information literacy (MIL) to support evidence-based policymaking and actions. Between February and June 2025, UNESCO launched global research to map the current landscape of MIL adoption and integration across its 194 Member States at the time of the research, which established a critical baseline to be built upon and used as a reference for tracking progress.
The research examined two key dimensions: (1) the integration of MIL into national education curricula, and (2) the development and adoption of MIL-related policies. The study also analysed whether MIL is taught as a dedicated subject or embedded across disciplines, is it mandatory or elective, and at which levels of education MIL is offered. In addition, the research assessed whether and how MIL is currently reflected in national education systems across UNESCO Member States through integration into school curricula.
Key takeaways, presented in the brief:
- Integration of MIL in school curricula: globally, 84 out of 194 countries (43%) have integrated elements of media and information literacy – as UNESCO describes it – into formal national education curricula. 43 countries (22%) have not integrated MIL into the national curricula at all.
- Limited approach: 56 countries (29%) have integrated some elements of MIL into the national curricula, yet they limit this integration to addressing digital literacy only, privileging technical skills over the critical thinking and evaluative dimensions of MIL.
- Integration of MIL in higher education: only 17 countries demonstrated this integration.
- Countries with policy addressing MIL: 171 out of 194 UNESCO Member States have acknowledged the importance of MIL related competencies in national policy frameworks, however, only 17 countries have developed substantive standalone far reaching MIL policies. 23 countries make no reference to MIL in any national policy document.
The research shows that differences in policy approaches for MIL can be addressed through improving broader structural factors, such as shared understandings of MIL’s relevance, alignment with national priorities, institutional capacity, regional cooperation dynamics, and access to policy resources. The most reliable way to support MIL integration into schools is through a standalone media and information policy, which should not exist in isolation, but should rather be aligned with national, regional and international development priorities as contextualized in broader policy frameworks.
The brief is now available in Russian.