AMLA MEDIA RELEASE – 03 December 2024
NEWS MEDIA RELEASE – 3 December 2024
The Australian Media Literacy Alliance (AMLA) continues to call for a national strategy for media literacy, following the passage through the Australian Parliament of the under 16s social media ban (Online Safety Amendment [Social Media Minimum Age] Bill).
AMLA, the national peak body for media literacy, has consistently argued that a national strategy for media literacy is needed to ensure all citizens can navigate, thrive and participate in democracy in a changing media and information landscape.
Media literacy is now widely recognised as a critical form of literacy that is essential for full participation in society. A person is media literate if they are able to access, use, create and share a diverse range media of media while critically reflecting on their engagement. We all need media literacy to stay connected with family and friends, to find employment, to engage with social services, and to take action on issues that matter to us.
Australians have told us they want greater media literacy support across all life stages. Over 80 per cent of adult Australians support greater media literacy education for children and adults. However, very few Australians are receiving media literacy support.
AMLA’s nation-wide community consultation has found widespread demand from grassroots communities to national leaders, for urgent system-wide changes to ensure all citizens receive media literacy support.
A National Media Literacy Strategy should be strengths-based and acknowledge the positive impacts of digital media use, while helping citizens to navigate the complexities of online environments. It should also support inclusive access to quality information to ensure no Australian is excluded from fair and equal participation in our democratic society.
AMLA has continued to support the development of a national approach to media literacy in 2024 with engagement from our members in cutting-edge research, global advocacy, policy advice to government and the provision of a range of educational programs and resources delivered through our member organisations.
We hope 2025 will be the year Australia joins other advanced democracies around the world with a government-funded media literacy agenda for change.
Media Enquiries: Anita Planchon +61 401 065 023
