Title: Audit of learning-related media literacy policy development
Pages: 82 pp.
Publisher: Ofcom and the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF)
Date published: June 2009
Date accessed: 22/07/2009
Type of information: government report
Language: English
On-line access: yes (pdf)
Abstract:
Ofcom and the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) commissioned this audit to map learning-related public policy development across the United Kingdom that impacts on the promotion of media literacy...

Media literacy is a learning outcome, conceived in public policy terms by Ofcom as a set of inter-related competencies that enable people to access, understand and create communications in a variety of contexts. These competencies can be learned and developed throughout a persons life, and they are relevant to young and old...

Many of the basic competencies associated with media literacy develop in the course of everyday life without the need for directed learning. Nonetheless, media literacy can be further developed and enhanced through channels under-pinned by public policy, including compulsory and post-16 education, vocational training and skills development, and informal learning and participation.

This locates the promotion of media literacy within a broad and dynamic policy context, which is further extended by policy drivers to tackle social exclusion and the risks posed by the internet, including identity theft, online fraud and child exploitation...

The interim report calls for a further step change in approach to media literacy promotion, through development of a National Media Literacy Plan that takes account of changes in the availability and use of digital technology since 2003...

Because media literacy is a learning outcome it has obvious relevance to policy agendas dealing with the delivery of education, skills development and informal learning.