Media Literacy > Current initiatives
Current initiatives
Commission actions:
The Commission's initiative on media literacy responded to requests by the European Parliament and industry together with a number of Member States. At the end of 2007, the Commission adopted a communication on media literacy which adds a further building block to European audiovisual policy and links to the provisions of the Audiovisual Media Services directive (AVMS). Article 33 in this directive introduced a reporting obligation for the Commission on levels of media literacy in all Member States. In 2008, the Council and the European Parliament adopted respectively conclusions and an own initiative report on media literacy.
In particular, projects have received European financial support in with the objective to:
- analyse media representations and media values in a multimedia perspective;
- encourage the production and distribution of Media Literacy related content;
- stimulate the use of media in order to improve participation in social and community life;
- intensify networking around media education related issues;
- concentrate on the implementation of media literacy initiatives bridging the media industry and the education world, in a “hands-on” approach.
Background information about media literacy
Since November 2000, in the framework of the Lisbon Agenda, the Commission has organised three workshops on Media Literacy and provided 3.5 M€ of financial support to some 30 projects (through the eLearning initiative). These initiatives have proved to be very effective in helping media literacy organisations and practitioners from different European Countries to establish contact and create networks which are a first step to a steady and profitable exchange of knowledge and experiences.
Find more information on the 2002 and 2003 projects.
EU financial support came to an end in 2005.
Also, in the Recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 November 2005 on film heritage and the competitiveness of related industrial activities , Member States are urged to promote the use of film heritage in education and fostering and promoting visual education, film studies and media literacy in education at all levels.
The Proposal for a Recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the protection of minors and human dignity and the right of reply in relation to the competitiveness of the European audiovisual and information services industry of 30 April 2004 stresses the importance of Media Literacy and Media Education programmes.
Supporting programmes at Commisison level
The MEDIA 2007 programme has, among its operational objectives, the education and creation of an audience for European cinematography. The proposal underlines the importance of Media Literacy and Image Education initiatives and in particular those organised by festivals for a young public, in close cooperation with schools and other institutions. The full exploitation of the economic and cultural potential of the European audiovisual sector depends also on the integration of the European audiovisual heritage within the educational and cultural policy frameworks of the Member States.
The Safer Internet plus Programme builds on the previous Action Plan, aims to empower parents and teachers with internet safety tools. It also covers other media, such as videos, and explicitly addresses the fight against racism, and “spam”. It will focus more closely on end users: parents, educators and children.
