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About

Who we are

Media literacy has never been more important for citizens to survive and thrive. 

Museums, archives, libraries, public broadcasters, schools and universities already play a significant role in supporting media literacy and have done so for decades. The AMLA founding members represent a unique consortium of key public institutions and networked organisations who are well-positioned to tackle this national priority.

The members are:

ACMI (formerly Australian Centre for the Moving Image) explores the power of media and culture on screen – fostering the next generation of makers, players and watchers. ACMI’s exhibitions, screenings, commissions, festivals, and industry and education programs reveal the stories, technologies and artists that create our shared screen culture. 

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation is the national broadcaster which has a remit within its charter to educate all Australians. It has a long history of providing educational materials to Australian schools and families. In 2018, ABC Education introduced Australia’s first Media Literacy Week. 

The Australian Library and Information Association is the peak body for school, public, tertiary and other libraries. Libraries have always been a rich source of quality information, today they also play a vital role in bridging the digital divide. It supports 5,000 member organisations which are made up of libraries and information services. 

The Digital Media Research Centre at Queensland University of Technology conducts world-leading research for a creative, inclusive and fair digital media environment. 

The Institute for Culture and Society at Western Sydney University researches transformations in culture and society in the context of contemporary global change. It champions collaborative engaged research for a globalising digital age. 

The Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House helps people to understand Australia’s social and political history by interpreting the past and present and exploring the future. In 2019 it opened the new permanent exhibition Truth, Power and a Free Press. 

The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia is the nation’s living’ archive of audio-visual materials, a provider of media literacy education for students and lifelong learners, and a destination for deep engagement with Australian media culture based on its collections which are a rich resource for fostering critical perspectives on the media. 

National and State Libraries Australasia is the peak body for the national, state and territory libraries of Australia and New Zealand. Its member libraries are jointly responsible for collecting and providing access to our documentary heritage, including electronic publications and websites, and are trusted providers of information services.

The Special Broadcasting Service is Australia’s multicultural and multilingual broadcaster. SBS inspires all Australians to explore, respect and celebrate our diverse world and in doing so, contributes to an inclusive and cohesive society.

The AMLA advocates for the use of its media literacy framework to design media literacy learning opportunities and resources. This framework is guided by  six key concepts that can be used to define the scope of learning and it proposes ten competencies that establish the purpose of media literacy.

Our Leadership

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Annabel Astbury, Chair

Currently Annabel is the Head of Education at the ABC within the Corporate Strategy Division where she leads the vision and strategic direction for schools education content across the organisation.

ABC Education first introduced Media Literacy Week to Australia following the North American model and UNESCO’s internationally recognised Media and Information Literacy Week. ABC Education has over 70 education resources for teachers and students which includes video explainers, interactives and lesson plans around the breadth of media literacy.

Dr Tanya Notley, Deputy Chair

Tanya is Associate Professor at Western Sydney University where she is a member of the Institute for Culture and Society (ICS). The ICS champion collaborative engaged research for a globalising digital age.

Tanya has 20 years of experience working in the areas of digital inclusion, human rights media, media literacy and media justice in partnership with NGOs, government agencies, public institutions, and the United Nations.