In an era when trust in news and institutions is low and audiences have access to ever-increasing volumes of content, being media literate—having the skills to think critically about the content we create and consume, both online and offline—is essential.
Yet research suggests that the UK is falling behind in this area. In a report published today the Communications and Digital Committee has called for urgent action to improve media literacy among both children and adults.
The report makes clear that media literacy must now be embedded across the national curriculum, since schools are central to delivering media literacy education to children and young people. The Committee heard evidence that under current arrangements, media literacy teaching is sometimes limited to an annual assembly or relegated to optional subjects, making provision a ‘postcode lottery’ dependent on the enthusiasm of individual teachers.
Outside the classroom, media literacy provision for both adults and children is patchy and typically relies on underfunded third sector organisations. Many adults are unfamiliar with the concept of media literacy, and do not consider it relevant to them. Training and guidance should be provided through services including libraries and youth clubs.
Past media literacy initiatives have been scattered across government departments, with limited join-up and no long-term strategic vision. Ofcom is now the owner of the only nationwide media literacy strategy. But the Government cannot outsource media literacy policy to the regulator. Only the Government can deliver the nationwide media literacy programme that is now needed.
Treating media literacy as an add-on to the Government’s work on digital inclusion is not enough. Sustained focus on media literacy, coupled with specific reporting on work in this area, is needed to ensure that vital critical thinking skills are developed under the plan.
Technology companies also have a responsibility to help their users to think critically about the information they encounter, but currently face no formal requirements to support work on the development of media literacy. Tech firms must be held to account and play a greater part in funding independent efforts to enhance media literacy skills.
Commenting Baroness Keeley, Chair of the Communications and Digital Committee, says:
“Media literacy is an issue that affects us all. In a world of polarising views and declining interest in traditional news media, it is more important than ever that both children and adults have the skills to think critically about the content they access and create. We are publishing our report on the same day that important protections for children under the Online Safety Act come into force. Online safety and media literacy go hand in hand; tackling the complexity of the digital world will require a combination of regulation and education.
“It is clear we are not currently doing enough in the UK, either in schools or outside, to improve media literacy. Children and young people need to engage with this topic repeatedly throughout their time at school, starting from an early age. Yet too often media literacy is relegated to a one-off lesson or annual assembly. That is not good enough. Media literacy should now be embedded in the national curriculum and teachers given proper, up-to-date training and support to deliver media literacy teaching effectively.
“Tech companies need to do more too. They have a responsibility to help their users assess what they see on their platforms and understand why they might be seeing it, where it has come from and whether it can be trusted. Tech platforms should also be providing the long-term, stable funding that independent media literacy work needs; it is time for a levy to make this happen.
“It is also time to fill the leadership vacuum on media literacy. Ofcom’s contributions are valuable, but only the Government can drive real progress in this area. We are concerned that the Government’s digital inclusion action plan, while important, sees media literacy as a lesser issue. The Government should now nominate a specific senior minister to join up media literacy work across Whitehall and bring forward an effective public awareness campaign followed by sustained media literacy activity.”
