Today, almost 20% of the population is over 65; in 2070, that figure will be 30%. Older people, as an important, heterogeneous population group with different needs have the right to acquire the necessary knowledge to become media literate and information literate in their own way and according to their own goals. States, media platforms and civil society must enable older users to create and communicate information according to their needs and interests.

The report of the Council of Europe "The Digital Era? Also my Era! Media and information literacy: the key to ensure seniors’ rights to participate in the digital era", which is now available in Ukrainian as well, is about how digitalisation can support active and healthy ageing, improve the quality of life, help to give back independence to older persons to ensure their full participation in society and change the paradigm from 'vulnerable older persons' into 'valuable seniors'.

“The fact that the Council of Europe is dealing with senior citizens and media literacy is an expression of the interpretation of this issue as part of ensuring human rights throughout life and in all areas. It is not enough to profess the principle of 'inclusion for all'; concrete initiatives must also be taken. I hope that this report can be a source of inspiration for policy makers, stakeholders and, above all, for the (active) older people themselves. I hope they feel encouraged.... and that all stakeholders and policy makers become more aware of the value and rights of the senior citizens and ... of their legitimate expectation that they will receive appropriate support”, the author, Em. Prof. Dr. An Hermans writes.

Read the publication in Ukrainian here. The original report in English can be found here.

The publication was translated into Ukrainian as part of the Council of Europe Project “Support to Safety of Journalists, Media, and of Access to Information”, including communication strategy for Prosecutor General’s Office in Ukraine, aiming to support the Ukrainian media community in addressing current needs and consequences of the Russian aggression and war in Ukraine.

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