Today’s news is filled with stories highlighting the need for us to bring an analytical and critical perspective to reports we read about the election and to the statements and tweets offered up by the candidates. I agree. That’s why I’m always harping on the need for media literacy. Those analytical, critical-thinking skills are media literacy skills. So why can’t we seem to get elected officials, education administrators, and parents to understand the vital need for greater focus on media literacy education? Overall, we lack a coherent, national education policy on this.
This leads me to a related question. Does media literacy need a makeover? Those of us working in this field –and many more who simply care about media and its impact– are getting limited traction galvanizing folks around the need for media literacy for all.