Ministers pledge to support people where they are, share and use what works, and help everyone play their part in strengthening media literacy
Last week, a new report published by the House of Lords warning that democracy is at risk from media illiteracy. Now, Ministers have published A Safe, Informed Digital Nation, the government’s action plan for media literacy over the next three years.
Photo by Heidi Finn / Unsplash
According to regulator Ofcom, as many as one in seven adults in the UK stay offline because of concerns about online safety. Ofcom evidence also suggests that even people who feel confident about spotting misinformation online still struggle to spot faked profiles on social media.
The government’s approach to tackling these concerns is based on three core principles. First, the government aims to ‘support people where they are’, through existing tools and organisations such as schools, libraries and local services. Secondly, across government and working with regulator Ofcom to share and use what works – without repeating work already being done. Lastly, the government will help everyone play their part in strengthening media literacy, working with industry, education, the voluntary sector, families and communities.
The new action plan sets out the priorities and actions to be taken over the next three years, beginning with a pilot programme already launched by the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) in Yorkshire and the Midlands to help children aged 8-14 build resilience and think critically online. An obligation will also be placed on the BBC, as part of this year’s charter review, to support and improve media literacy.
The implementation timetable includes details of which government department will lead on each initiative listed in the plan.
Three minsters have launched the action plan: Kanishka Narayan MP, Parliamentary-Under Secretary of State for AI and Online Safety; Ian Murray MP, Minister of State for Creative Industries, Media and Arts; and Olivia Bailey MP, Parliamentary-Under Secretary of State for Early Education and Minister for Equalities. They say in their foreword that:
‘Media literacy must be a central part of our lives in the digital age. It means thinking carefully about online content and understanding that what we do online can have real-world consequences. It also means understanding how technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) work, how platform algorithms can shape what we see, and how to keep personal information safe. Media literacy shapes how we communicate, access information, and take part in democratic life. Strong media literacy helps people make informed choices and engage online with confidence.
‘We are committed to ensuring that people of all ages have the skills and confidence to take part in the digital world safely and positively, and this action plan is just the first step. We will continue to build on this in the future, so that everyone can enjoy the benefits of technology and the online world.’
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