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Media Literacy

Can you effectively navigate our 24/7 media society?

Media Literacy The range of media available to people today, to communicate and express themselves, through the world of pictures and 3G phones, blogs, social networks and home video, is vast and various. The 24/7 media environment in which we live means that most people are already avid media consumers, yet this does not necessarily give everyone the skills to navigate, understand or question what they encounter, nor the know-how to use media to express their ideas effectively.

Why media literacy is important

Media literacy is all about giving people opportunities to communicate, create and participate confidently in today's fast-moving digital world as citizens, producers and consumers. It is also much harder to regulate by prohibition, censorship and other forms of statutory regulation in a world in which people encounter an abundance of media, originating from all over the world. As a consequence, the development of a 'fuller literacy', which includes all media, is increasingly important. People's ability to find an appropriate balance between trusting media and exercising a critical understanding of it is now more urgent than ever – for their enjoyment of entertainment, news and media content, and for the development of informed democratic debate.

British Film Institute action

For these reasons, the BFI has a strong commitment to developing media literacy throughout the Nations and Regions of the UK. We aim to ensure media literacy is a key component in the Government agenda for life-long learning, and to develop and implement - in partnership with key stakeholders - a joined-up strategy in which film and the moving image play a prominent part.

For a more comprehensive view of media literacy developments please visit the Media Literacy website which gives further information on the Charter for Media Literacy and the work of Media Literacy Task Force which was in operation between 2004-2009.