Presented guidelines for strengthening media literacy related to media policy

Shadow Casters are part of the Media Education Matters (MOV) project, led by GONG. On Thursday, December 15, 2022, the Small Hall of the Journalists’ Home hosted a roundtable titled “Media Literacy within Media Public Policy” as part of the project, where an analysis of current approaches to media policy in promoting and developing media literacy was presented, along with guidelines for enhancing media literacy within the broader media field. The analysis and guidelines were developed within the Media Education Matters project, and were presented by consortium members Nikola Buković (GONG), Ivana Pejić (Kurziv), and Paško Bilić (Institute for Development and International Relations – IRMO).

With the aim of improving public policies in the field of media literacy, a total of six guidelines were developed, most of which focus on the education sector. Nikola Buković from GONG stated, “Guidelines were developed for primary and secondary education and interdisciplinary implementation, and we also addressed the field of non-formal education with guidelines for enhancing media literacy programs in that area. The fifth guideline, concerning policies for children and youth, focuses on socio-emotional skills as a crucial component of media literacy for young people.”

Ivana Pejić presented recommendations for developing public media policy in the field of media literacy, highlighting the lack of a comprehensive media education strategy and weak coordination among key stakeholders as primary issues. “The general goal of the proposed intervention relates to aligning the national public policy framework with the European Parliament’s Resolution on media pluralism and media freedom, and developing a comprehensive media literacy policy aimed at citizens,” she noted. Among specific goals and recommendations, she emphasized a more proactive role for public bodies and stronger collaboration with civil society organizations, professional journalism associations, and media literacy projects, as well as sustainable funding for media projects promoting media literacy themes. “Strengthening the media sector and media pluralism, as well as empowering media workers, are seen as necessary prerequisites for promoting media literacy by the media,” Pejić concluded.

Paško Bilić provided a broader contextual concept of media pluralism and media freedoms. Starting from definitions of media literacy that emphasize the development of users’ critical thinking, he highlighted that in such conceptualization, “a significant burden is placed on individuals and citizens, as well as on private actors who do not have the same social legitimacy as state, public, and educational institutions.” Bilić questioned how we can expect responsible behavior and active participation from citizens if there is no accountability from all actors providing space for digital communication and information dissemination: “Media literacy involves engaging in a pluralistic social and political community, and media strategy must find an appropriate balance and social contract among all stakeholders to promote their rights, obligations, and responsibilities,” he concluded.

During the presentation, results of a recent survey conducted as part of the media literacy project were also presented, while Nikola Buković announced further public activities of the network, including the first national conference on media literacy within educational policy scheduled to be held in Osijek on January 25, 2023.

The Media Education Matters (MOV) project is implemented by a consortium of 11 Croatian organizations and institutions: GONG, Pragma, Telecentar, Kurziv – Platform for Issues of Culture, Media and Society, Society for Communication and Media Culture, Shadow Casters, Children’s Creative Center DOKKICA, Info zona, Center for Culture and Lifelong Learning Zlatna vrata, Institute for Development and International Relations (IRMO), and the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing at the University of Zagreb.