Theme: Access

What is Access?

In media literacy, Access is defined as how, when, where, and how often people have access to the tools, technology, and digital skills necessary to thrive. This includes (but is not limited to):

• Understanding how media, technology and the internet works,
• Understanding how to locate content and use media; knowing what resources are available online,
• How consumers access information may determine what information they receive,
• Access to all information and ideas without censorship; individuals should draw conclusions about media based on their own assessment, experiences, values, and beliefs,
• Participation in society, including the ability to receive and convey information, is a global human right,
• Access to media literacy education.

What is the impact of Access?

• Limited or no access can impact one’s ability to participate in culture, access news and information, and learn the technology and skills necessary for employment, education, and civic engagement, 
• Limited or no access can impact the ability to be a media creator and have one’s voice represented in media (inclusion in media). Whose voices are present and whose missing (underrepresentation)?
• Information is often accessed digitally, which can impact the gathering of information necessary for civic participation and economic growth. 
• Access to technology, the internet, and media doesn’t ensure access to necessary skills; access to media literacy education is the first step in being able to analyze, evaluate, create, and act effectively and responsibly. 
• If consumers rely on social media platforms, listservs, or other curated media to provide news and information, they will only see the content provided by algorithms or individuals; if consumers actively seek out information from sources and vary those sources and the content they receive, they are more likely to access more diverse information and points of view than would be provided by algorithms and content curators. 

Who is most at-risk?

• Because access is often an issue for those who are often from already marginalized/minority communities, no access or limited access disproportionately impacts the inclusion of those voices in media;
• Paywalls and other barriers to accessing information also disproportionately impact people in marginalized communities.
• Access to information necessary for civic engagement/participation and economic growth are most needed by those from marginalized communities whose economic situation would benefit most from this information and whose voices are often underrepresented in civic life.

Additional Resources

National Digital Inclusion Alliance

Digital Divide
Pew Research

Censorship vs. Media Literacy  

What is Open Access?

About Public Media
Corporation for Public Broadcasting

How does social media shape political opinions?
PBS Learning Media

Changing our Media Habits: The Impact of the Pandemic
Project Look Sharp
Grades 6-12

Questions?

Email us: medialiteracyweek@namle.net!