Media literacy

Media literacy is a broadened understanding of literacy that encompasses the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, and create media in various forms. It also includes the capacity to reflect critically and act ethically—leveraging the power of information and communication to engage with the world and contribute to positive change. Media literacy applies to different types of media, and is seen as an important skill for work, life, and citizenship.

Examples of media literacy include reflecting on one's media choices, identifying sponsored content, recognizing stereotypes, analyzing propaganda and discussing the benefits, risks, and harms of media use. Critical analysis skills can be developed through practices like constructivist media decoding and lateral reading, which entails looking at multiple perspectives in assessing the quality of a particular piece of media. Media literacy also includes the ability to create and share messages as a socially responsible communicator, and the practices of safety and civility, information access, and civic voice and engagement are sometimes referred to as digital citizenship.

Media literacy education is the process used to advance media literacy competencies, and it is intended to promote awareness of media influence and create an active stance towards both consuming and creating media. Media literacy education is taught and studied in many countries around the world. Finland has been cited as one of the leading countries that invests significantly in media literacy.

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