On 1 July 2018, the written policy of Swedish schools was strengthened with a clearer mission concerning media and information proficiency and source criticism (MIL). In August, the government commissioned a national investigation for increasing resistance to disinformation, propaganda and online hate. Media and Information Literacy will be a theme at the 2019 Book Fair.

Partners to the theme Media and Information Literacy are Region Västra Götaland, The Swedish Teachers’ Union, The Swedish Library Association, UR (Swedish Educational Broadcasting Company), The Swedish Media Council and The Commission for Media and Information Literacy and Democratic Dialogue.

Region Västra Götaland, University of Gothenburg and The Swedish National Commission for UNESCO will, in parallel with the 2019 Book Fair, host The UNESCO Global Media and Information Literacy Feature Conference.

– By situating parts of the conference at the Book Fair, we will reach many key persons to increase media and information proficiency. Librarians and teachers are absolutely crucial in this important work which Region Västra Götaland is heading together with numerous other actors. By hosting an international conference, we will obtain maximal force in the issue – from locally to globally, Conny Brännberg, minister of culture in Region Västra Götaland, says.

– Our goal, through the theme Media and Information Literacy at the Book Fair, is to give librarians and teachers increased knowledge and valuable tools in their daily work, Annica Andersson, editor at the Book Fair, says.