Media and information literacy (MIL) is no longer just a technical skill—it is a vital human right in the digital age.

By fostering the ability to discern credible sources, counter manipulation, and engage responsibly with artificial intelligence (AI)-driven content, MIL strengthens democratic participation and human dignity. The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) emphasizes that technology must always serve humanity, ensuring that AI and other emerging innovations empower rather than exploit people and communities.

Guided by this principle, the Commission joins the global observance of Media and Information Literacy Week, from 24 to 31 October 2025, with the theme “Minds Over AI – MIL in Digital Spaces.” As AI reshapes how information is created and consumed, CHR underscores the need to strengthen everyone’s capacity to think critically and act ethically online.

In the Philippines, despite high literacy and connectivity rates, many still struggle to evaluate source credibility, detect manipulation, and distinguish reliable journalism from misinformation. The government, in partnership with schools and civil society, must invest in programs that build both media and AI literacy, helping Filipinos understand how algorithms and automation shape their information environments.

As reflected in CHR’s position paper on AI, the Commission urges policymakers to adopt a human rights-based approach to AI governance—one that upholds dignity, freedom, equality, and privacy.[1] Such an approach ensures that technological progress includes safeguards that protect people from data misuse, discrimination, and exploitative practices.

Cultivating “minds over AI” means preserving human judgment, empathy, and ethics in an increasingly automated world. ###

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[1] Position Paper on House Bills Promoting the Development and Regulation of and Establishing a Framework for Artificial Intelligence bit.ly/CHRPositionPaperonAI