What is media literacy?
Introduction
Media refers to ways that information can be communicated to a large audience. This includes newspapers, television and the internet. (Cambridge Dictionary 2019)
Literacy refers to learning how to understand and create written texts. (UNESCO 2024) This includes reading and writing. (Cambridge Dictionary 2019b)
Media literacy is, then, the ability to understand and create texts in newspapers, the internet and television. “Texts” could also be videos or social media posts, not just written texts.
The internet is one thing we refer to when talking about the media. Photo by Marvin Meyer on Unsplash
Three abilities
Media literacy is, according to the website Media Literacy Now, made up of three abilities:
- understanding media messages and their contexts
- understanding how these messages influence our thoughts, feelings and actions
- creating media thoughtfully. (Media Literacy Now 2023)
Understanding media messages
Sometimes the messages in media are simple. However, this isn’t always true. Sometimes people in newspapers, or on the internet, say one thing but mean another. It’s important to understand what’s not being said and why.
Understanding how they influence us
Media, one way or another, is made to influence us. Even the most factual of news articles can contain emotional language. It’s important to understand how the media can influence us.
Creating media thoughtfully
While I will be discussing creating media less on this website than consuming it, it’s still important to see the impact we can have with what we post online.
Source list
Published 16th April 2024.