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7. What your organization in particular aims to do in spreading MIL and preventing
disinformation?
Bangladesh Institute for Information Literacy and Sustainable Development (BIILSD) aims to
build a hub for research, education, capacity development, outreach, and advocacy equipped

with diversified information and knowledge management tools, techniques, approaches, and
advisory services to enable informed and participatory policy-making for sustainable
development at all levels. Media and Information Literacy, and empowering youth are important

priority areas of BIILSD, which is conducting a research project titled MIL Youth Study.
BIILSD believes that the Media and Information Literate (MIL) youth can play a very
significant role in achieving SDGs. However, in the backdrop of a deluge of disinformation in
an information era, the question arises whether the youth are adequately informed, engaged, and

empowered.

In this context, the BIILSD study aims to understand whether the Bangladeshi Youth are
informed, engaged, and empowered. Particularly, the study analyses their information-seeking
behavior. Attempts are made to understand whether they have competencies to critically

evaluate information and their sources. Their attitude towards and treatment of disinformation
and hate speech are examined. It is expected that this study will vindicate the necessity for a
MIL policy and strategy as well as the MIL curriculum in developing countries like Bangladesh.

BIILSD has also taken up a research project titled the Covid-19 Infodemic Study. This study

explores the extent of the COVID-19 infodemic in Bangladesh. An attempt is made to
understand how this disinformation is consumed by netizens and their implications. Also, the
justifications for a MIL strategy is under examination. It is expected that the outcome of this
research will lead to containing the harmful impact of future disinfodemics.

BIILSD also has an outreach programme for the youth. Under this programme, attempts are

made to empower the youth with MIL competencies all over Bangladesh. BIILSD has already
conducted two MIL Youth Workshops in Barguna and Sylhet districts. More workshops will be
conducted when the Covid-19 risk is significantly reduced.

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