Solvita Denisa-Liepniece
Dr., Assistant Professor
Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences
Latvia
Cognitive War is happening here and now. We neither have enough time to develop a new solution from scratch, nor can we wait for better conditions. Further securitization of Media Literacy in the direction of Cognitive Resilience is a prospective response to the challenging nature of Cognitive Warfare. We urgently need to update an already established media literacy infrastructure.
The following commentary is based on the comprehensive analysis of the media literacy sectors in six countries - Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Georgia, as well as Ukraine and Moldova. The main focus of the research was on A-ctors, A-udiences addressed by them and implemented A-ctivities (which formed a unique three-A approach). The data collection from 2021 and 2022 was summed up for purposes of the Baltic Centre for Media Excellence. It was used to draw attention to emerging challenges and further actions.
The significant changes in the Ukrainian media literacy sector caused by Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, flagged the need for rapid changes to strengthen the media literacy sector, including further decentralization, cooperation, holistic approach to advance already developed media literacy “infrastructures”. The following five prospects reflect both - the challenges noted by the county teams, and the data coming within the first months of kinetic activities on the territory of Ukraine.
Media literacy as a matter of security and multi-field cooperation
The Baltic states, as well as the other studied countries, have made significant efforts to revise the role of media literacy. Media literacy became a matter of national security. In the case of Latvia, for example, networking with the NATO StratCom COE, was beneficial for non-military practitioners. By recognizing the complexity of cognitive warfare, the media literacy sector would benefit from being regularly updated with new tools, cases, incoming threats, etc. Besides financial sustainability, redirection of responsibility is among the main challenges, which is weakening this sector of increasing importance.
Media literacy in cognitive warfare - monitoring and system of alert
Both media-centric monitoring (content focused) and human-centric monitoring (attitudes, behaviors, values) are at the core of understanding developments in the cognitive domain. Of high importance is the need for conversion of one type of assets to another. Sharing data and data interpretation (as well as reflections) with media literacy practitioners is crucial for proper design, implementation and measurements, highly needed for strengthening projects and society. Better addressing of challenges, threats and audiences is not possible without evidence-based approach - longitudinal, where appropriate.
Media literacy actors and a collective cognitive immunity system
Interconnectivity of the whole-of-society approach, which also is a trend across countries, asks for wise participation of those who already have natural access to different targeted audiences. This access is crucial to be addressed with resilience strengthening activities, while addressing specific topics. Though decentralization is relevant for each mentioned prospective, the collective immune system means focusing on local needs, local context, while operating as a holistic infrastructure, endorsing civic engagement. At the same time, this includes regional and international cooperation.
Revising the role of the journalistic community (Media resilience)
Since the journalistic community is perceived as a media literacy advocate, it should be addressed properly. It is also constantly perceived as a vulnerable audience. Given the widening definition of media and general transformation of the information environment and the change of media consumption among the public, civic activists and their organizations should be engaged in regular training to increase resilience. In the future, more pan-Baltic multi-targeted formats are needed. The oxygen mask rule should be applied on those dealing with media literacy. Financial sustainability, wise implementation of AI solutions and better understanding of the human-centric approach is critical.
Future oriented media literacy - complexity and connectivity
The impact of Digitally impaired cognition should be studied carefully, with a proper infrastructure to transmit knowledge to implementation. News fatigue, learned helplessness, and information apathy are just some incoming topics to be reflected upon. Within the last decade, the Baltic States have made significant efforts to revise the role of media literacy There is no question if cognitive resilience is needed. Yet, we should keep in mind where, who and how to discuss possible partnerships and to set the local, national and regional roadmaps to make the local societies stronger, having cognitive superiority both for peaceful and warfare times. The expectations are high, and the opportunity to address these expectations is here.
The following commentary is based on the comprehensive analysis of the media literacy sectors in six countries - Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Georgia, as well as Ukraine and Moldova. The main focus of the research was on A-ctors, A-udiences addressed by them and implemented A-ctivities (which formed a unique three-A approach). The data collection from 2021 and 2022 was summed up for purposes of the Baltic Centre for Media Excellence. It was used to draw attention to emerging challenges and further actions.
The significant changes in the Ukrainian media literacy sector caused by Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, flagged the need for rapid changes to strengthen the media literacy sector, including further decentralization, cooperation, holistic approach to advance already developed media literacy “infrastructures”. The following five prospects reflect both - the challenges noted by the county teams, and the data coming within the first months of kinetic activities on the territory of Ukraine.
Media literacy as a matter of security and multi-field cooperation
The Baltic states, as well as the other studied countries, have made significant efforts to revise the role of media literacy. Media literacy became a matter of national security. In the case of Latvia, for example, networking with the NATO StratCom COE, was beneficial for non-military practitioners. By recognizing the complexity of cognitive warfare, the media literacy sector would benefit from being regularly updated with new tools, cases, incoming threats, etc. Besides financial sustainability, redirection of responsibility is among the main challenges, which is weakening this sector of increasing importance.
Media literacy in cognitive warfare - monitoring and system of alert
Both media-centric monitoring (content focused) and human-centric monitoring (attitudes, behaviors, values) are at the core of understanding developments in the cognitive domain. Of high importance is the need for conversion of one type of assets to another. Sharing data and data interpretation (as well as reflections) with media literacy practitioners is crucial for proper design, implementation and measurements, highly needed for strengthening projects and society. Better addressing of challenges, threats and audiences is not possible without evidence-based approach - longitudinal, where appropriate.
Media literacy actors and a collective cognitive immunity system
Interconnectivity of the whole-of-society approach, which also is a trend across countries, asks for wise participation of those who already have natural access to different targeted audiences. This access is crucial to be addressed with resilience strengthening activities, while addressing specific topics. Though decentralization is relevant for each mentioned prospective, the collective immune system means focusing on local needs, local context, while operating as a holistic infrastructure, endorsing civic engagement. At the same time, this includes regional and international cooperation.
Revising the role of the journalistic community (Media resilience)
Since the journalistic community is perceived as a media literacy advocate, it should be addressed properly. It is also constantly perceived as a vulnerable audience. Given the widening definition of media and general transformation of the information environment and the change of media consumption among the public, civic activists and their organizations should be engaged in regular training to increase resilience. In the future, more pan-Baltic multi-targeted formats are needed. The oxygen mask rule should be applied on those dealing with media literacy. Financial sustainability, wise implementation of AI solutions and better understanding of the human-centric approach is critical.
Future oriented media literacy - complexity and connectivity
The impact of Digitally impaired cognition should be studied carefully, with a proper infrastructure to transmit knowledge to implementation. News fatigue, learned helplessness, and information apathy are just some incoming topics to be reflected upon. Within the last decade, the Baltic States have made significant efforts to revise the role of media literacy There is no question if cognitive resilience is needed. Yet, we should keep in mind where, who and how to discuss possible partnerships and to set the local, national and regional roadmaps to make the local societies stronger, having cognitive superiority both for peaceful and warfare times. The expectations are high, and the opportunity to address these expectations is here.