Media Literacy: The Basic Definition
Media literacy is the ability to ACCESS, ANALYZE, EVALUATE, CREATE, and ACT using all forms of communication. In its simplest terms, media literacy builds upon the foundation of traditional literacy and offers new forms of reading and writing. Media literacy empowers people to be critical thinkers and makers, effective communicators and active citizens. Learn more on NAMLE’s website.
Core Principles of Media Literacy Education
The National Association for Media Literacy Education (NAMLE) aims to make media literacy highly valued and widely practiced as an essential life skill. In a mediated world, all people are consumers and creators who deserve guidance on how to cultivate mindful, empowering relationships with media.
NAMLE views media literacy—the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, create, and act using all forms of communication—as an essential 21st-century literacy. Media literacy education is the ongoing development of habits of inquiry and skills of expression necessary for people to be critical thinkers, thoughtful and effective communicators, and informed and responsible members of society. Developing these habits and skills is vital to civic life.
The Core Principles articulate NAMLE’s position on media literacy education and illuminate the complex dynamics between individuals, media, and the systems and structures that shape our world. The additional Implications for Practice, which are available to view under each principle, highlight distinguishing features of effective media literacy education. NAMLE’s intent is these Core Principles and Implications for Practice build greater awareness and help scale media literacy education in all facets of life in the U.S.
Variety of terminology – Some definitions and clarification
The term “media literacy” is often used interchangeably with other terms related to media and media technologies. To clarify what we mean when we talk about media literacy, the National Association for Media Literacy Education (NAMLE) offers these definitions:
- Media refers to all electronic or digital means and print or artistic visuals used to transmit messages.
- Literacy is the ability to encode and decode symbols and synthesize and analyze messages.
- Media literacy is the ability to encode and decode the symbols transmitted via media and the ability to synthesize, analyze and produce mediated messages.
- Media education is the study of media, including ‘hands-on’ experiences and media production.
- Media literacy education is the educational field dedicated to teaching the skills associated with media literacy.
