Advisory Group for Media and Information Literacy Established in Bosnia and Herzegovina

SARAJevo, (Patria) - Organized by the Foundation for Media Development and Civil Society "Mediacentar" and the Faculty of Political Sciences of the University of Sarajevo, a meeting was held for institutions, civil society organizations, and individuals active in the field of developing and promoting media and information literacy. An Advisory Group was formed at the meeting, comprising experts from relevant sectors for the development of media and information literacy, who are seeking new, creative, and sustainable measures to improve media and information literacy in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The primary activity of the Advisory Group will be the development of strategic documents, policies, and practices that can enhance media and information literacy in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It will include representatives from the civil society sector, media, institutions responsible for education, culture, media, and communications, representatives from the IT sector, and all interested parties who can contribute their knowledge and experience to the development of long-term and systemic solutions that will meet the needs of BiH citizens in the domain of media literacy. Membership in the Advisory Group is voluntary and signifies socially responsible action. This informal group of experts aims to become the core for the future quality development of this important area in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

 

Photo Mediacentar

 

Assistant Professor Dr. Emir Vajzović, project leader and head of the Institute at the Faculty of Political Sciences of the University of Sarajevo, emphasized the interdisciplinary and multi-sectoral approach in forming this body. He highlighted that the Faculty of Political Sciences, through the project "Building Trust in Media in Southeast Europe and Turkey," brings together all relevant experts in this field and establishes a natural partnership between decision-makers and experts from academia, civil society, and the education sector, strengthening the role of libraries in adopting quality strategic solutions in this area.

"The University of Sarajevo continuously works on research and scientific responses to social challenges through an interdisciplinary approach. The work done so far in this project testifies to the necessity and importance of the role of the academic community as the core from which changes in this area can and should be initiated," Vajzović emphasized.

At the meeting, the Position Paper and Overview Study on Media and Information Literacy Policies and Strategies were presented, followed by the announcement of upcoming project activities within the framework of the "Building Trust in Media in Southeast Europe and Turkey" project.

Maida Muminović, Executive Director of the Mediacentar Foundation, stated that the formation of the Advisory Group is important for identifying all activities in this domain currently underway in our country, and ultimately for developing a common communication platform.

"Through this, we will primarily achieve better mutual information and ensure that all ongoing programs support each other and develop together. Additionally, we want to ensure the existence of a common and effective platform for contributing to the development of strategies for media and information literacy in Bosnia and Herzegovina."

A draft text of the Declaration on the Importance of Media and Information Literacy in Bosnia and Herzegovina was also adopted at the meeting. This document has professional, scientific, and moral significance for further advocacy in the field of media and information literacy in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Advisory Group and the Declaration are open for accession by all individuals and institutions for whom the topic of media and information literacy is close and interesting.

The formation and work of the informal Advisory Group are supported by the European Union through the regional project "Media for Citizens - Citizens for Media," implemented in BiH by the Mediacentar Sarajevo Foundation, and the project "Building Trust in Media in Southeast Europe and Turkey," implemented by the Faculty of Political Sciences of the University of Sarajevo.

The draft text of the Declaration on the Importance of Media and Information Literacy in Bosnia and Herzegovina is available at the link.