The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has released a report for Global Media and Information Literacy Week, stating that news consumption patterns among young people have drastically changed.
According to the report, 52% of youth aged 18 to 24 across 48 surveyed markets primarily get their news and information from social media, video platforms like YouTube and TikTok, and AI chatbots. This finding indicates that traditional media such as television and newspapers have lost their standing with this generation.
UNESCO warns that this shift has transformed young people from mere news consumers into producers, re-publishers, and shapers of the information flow. This makes media literacy and the ability to critically evaluate information more essential than ever.
This development is particularly significant for the youth of Afghanistan. In a country with limited access to free media, young people increasingly rely on the internet and social media for education, awareness, and daily communication.
Experts say that while access to information has become easier, the ability to distinguish accurate news from misinformation, fake news, and hidden propaganda has become a vital skill. Without this skill, citizens are more vulnerable to misleading information.
UNESCO has called on governments, media, and educational institutions to expand media literacy education programs to strengthen critical assessment skills among citizens, especially the youth. This year's theme for the week is "We All Have a Role," emphasizing the shared responsibility in producing and disseminating information responsibly. Source: UNESCO
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