This special issue has resulted from the work of the Task Force on “Media Literacy” of the
COST Action, “Transforming Audiences, Transforming Societies,” IS0906, http://www.cost.eu.
COST is an intergovernmental framework for European Cooperation in Science and
Technology, enabling the coordination of nationally funded research at the European level.
The Action “Transforming Audiences, Transforming Societies” (2010-2014) coordinates
research efforts into the key transformations of European audiences and identifies their
complex interrelationships within the social, cultural and political dimension of European
societies. A range of interconnected but distinct topics concerning audiences is being
developed by four Working Groups: (1) New media genres, media literacy and trust in
the media; (2) Audience interactivity and participation; (3) The role of media and ICT use
for evolving social relationships; and (4) Audience transformations and social integration.
As part of Working Group 1, the task force on “Media Literacy” examines conceptual,
methodological and policy issues concerning audiences within the changing media and
communication environment.