Media literacy is an expanded conceptualization of literacy that encompasses the ability to access and analyze media messages and create, reflect, and take action using the power of information and communication to make a difference.
Media literacy is not restricted to one medium, such as print or television. Instead, media literacy skills apply across various forms of communication, encompassing critical thinking and analysis of messages in all forms, including digital media, social media, radio, film, advertising, and more.
Media literacy education equips individuals with the tools to enhance their ability to critically analyze messages. It also provides opportunities for learners to broaden their exposure to media and fosters generative media capability, enhancing creative skills for creating their own media content.
Critical analysis involves identifying the author's intent, purpose, and perspective, as well as examining construction techniques, genres, and patterns of media representation. Additionally, it helps detect propaganda, censorship, and bias in news and public affairs programming.
The Critical Media Literacy approach emphasizes critical awareness, enabling individuals to read, write, and use media and technology for civic participation and social transformation. It involves questioning problematic representations, analyzing messages, and creating alternative media.
The UNESCO approach is through a composite concept known as Media and Information Literacy (MIL), which combines competencies (knowledge, skills, and attitude) necessary for life and work today. MIL encompasses all forms of media and information providers, such as libraries, archives, museums, films, and the Internet, irrespective of the technologies used. The goal of MIL is to equip people with the essential skills to critically engage with information, navigate the online environment responsibly, and foster trust in the information ecosystem and digital technologies.
The National Association for Media Literacy Education (NAMLE) defines media literacy as the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, create, and act using all forms of communication. It is a broadened definition of literacy that includes media beyond text and promotes curiosity about the media we consume and create. NAMLE emphasizes expanding literacy, individual capabilities, critical inquiry, active engagement, skill-building opportunities, participatory media culture, understanding media institutions, shared responsibility, critical inquiry about media industries, and empowering responsible participants.
Media literacy education initiatives are growing globally, although challenges persist. Teachers play a crucial role in fostering critical media literacy in K-12 classrooms, where students learn to analyze messages and create their own alternative media.
Media literacy is part of the curriculum in the United States and some European Union countries, and a global community of media scholars and educators is engaged in promoting media literacy through scholarly and professional journals and national membership associations.
Recommended Resources
Association for Media Literacy
The AML, founded in 1978 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, is a not-for-profit charitable association that brings together teachers, librarians, consultants, parents, cultural workers, and media professionals to foster an understanding of the nature of media, its techniques, and its impact. It fulfills its mission through speakers, workshops, and support material and offers additional qualifications courses for teachers in media studies. The AML produces "Mediacy," a regular podcast on VoicEd Radio.
https://aml.ca/
CML is an educational organization that provides leadership, public education, professional development, and evidence-based educational resources nationally and internationally. Headquartered in Encino, California, CML works to help citizens, particularly the young, develop critical thinking and media production skills to live fully in 21st-century media culture. Its educational philosophy, program services, history, and administrative contacts are posted, along with informational resources.
https://www.medialit.org/
Gateway Media Literacy Partners, Inc.
The non-profit organization is a member of the National Association for Media Literacy Education. GMLP's purpose is to promote media literacy and empower citizens to think critically about media messages, which it accomplishes through social media conversations and events like its annual Media Literacy Week, which promotes digital media literacy across Canada. Held in October, schools, libraries, museums, and community groups organize events throughout the week.
https://www.gmlp.org/
International Council for Media Literacy
IC4ML is a non-profit organization whose mission is to advance media literacy in global society. It offers programs, policy recommendations, publications, and the dissemination of research across various media fields. Its board, advisory council, and administrative contacts are provided, along with a history of the organization, its awards program, upcoming events, announcements, an informational blog and videos, and access to "The Journal of Media Literacy."
https://ic4ml.org/
International Media Literacy Research Symposium
The IMLRS is an annual event for researchers worldwide who are interested in media literacy education. Founded in 2013, it is intended to connect researchers studying media literacy education and provide a platform for sharing research findings, insights, and best practices related to media literacy. Past conferences are archived, upcoming conference schedules and highlights are discussed, and online registration is enabled. Issues of the Journal of Media Literacy are available.
https://www.imlrs.net/
Mapping Impactful Media Literacy Practices
A project of the National Association for Media Literacy Education (NAMLE) and Facebook, the project involved in-depth interviews with media literacy stakeholders around the United States, compiling a field guide for equitable media literary practice, which offers resources, activities, and approaches to consider how media literacies can be more equity- and inclusion-oriented. Created for use in classrooms, communities, and organizations, the guide is featured on the website.
https://mappingimpactfulml.org/
Mass media literacy refers to the ability to apply critical thinking skills when engaging with messages, signs, and symbols transmitted through various forms of mass media. Mass Media Literacy is a non-profit organization that works to promote critical media literacy education in K-12 classrooms through training, curriculum, research, and resources for teachers and students. Presentations may be scheduled through the site, and volunteer opportunities are available.
https://www.massmedialiteracy.org/
The non-profit organization was established in 1992 to produce and distribute documentary films about the impact of American mass media. The films focus on topics such as gender, race, representation, health class, consumerism, politics, and the environment, with the purpose of encouraging critical thought about the media and its effect on viewers and the world. Films may be found by interest, alphabetically by title, or by new releases. An online store and ordering information are included.
https://www.mediaed.org/
The Media Education Lab is a public benefit corporation that advances media literacy education through leadership development, research and scholarship, and community engagement. Founded in 2003, the organization collaborates with people across the United States and worldwide on its three foundational initiatives. The site publishes its services, research publications, sponsored events, and contacts, and various teaching resources, including curriculum materials, are available.
http://www.mediaeducationlab.com/
Created by Canada's Centre for Digital Media Literacy, Media Smarts has been developing digital and media literacy programs and resources for Canadian homes, schools, and communities since 1996. The organization also supports adults with information and tools to help children and teens develop the critical thinking skills they need to interact with the media they love. Its history, programs, awards, recognitions, annual reports, board of directors, and patrons are acknowledged.
https://mediasmarts.ca/
National Association for Media Literacy Education, The
NAMLE is a professional association that brings together educators, academics, activists, and students who share a passion for understanding how the media we use and create impact our lives and the lives of others in our communities and worldwide. NAMLE provides various resources, including strategies for conducting Media Literacy Week in schools, cities, or states, and publishes the Journal of Media Literacy Education. Contacts, a calendar of events, and other resources are provided.
https://namle.org/
