Organisations, Initiatives and Reports
Interested in learning more? Here are links to a range of organisations that are working to improve media literacy or offer more interesting information for further reading. In addition to this, we have browsed the bookshelves of the internet to find the most relevant reports currently available. Please contact us if you come across more things we should be sharing here.
Adbusters (Canada)
A global network of artists, activists, writers, pranksters, students, educators and entrepreneurs who want to advance the new social activist movement of the information age.
Advertising Standards Authority (UK)
The ASA was set up to make sure all advertising, wherever it appears, meets the high standards laid down in the advertising codes. The website details the rules for advertising, and shows you how you can complain online, and explain how the ASA is working to keep UK advertising standards as high as possible.
Campaign for Press and Broadcasting Freedom (UK)
Campaign for a media which is more accountable to the people it is meant to serve; the break-up of media concentration to promote greater media diversity rights of citizens to redress unfair coverage; and the rights of journalists to report freely.
Charter for Media Literacy (UK)
The Media Literacy Task Force was founded by the UK Film Council, Channel 4, the BBC and the BFI and in 2004. The role of the Task Force was to respond proactively to the provisions in the Communications Act to promote media literacy.
European Institute for the Media (Europe)
Think tank for research and strategy concerning developments in European media and communications.
Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting (USA)
A national media watch group that offers well-documented criticism of media bias and censorship.
Institute for Public Policy Research (UK)
Launched in 1988, IPPR is a UK progressive think tank, producing research and innovative policy ideas for a just, democratic and sustainable world. IPPR has focused a lot of effort on researching media literacy and related topics such as citizenship and diversity.
Media CSR Forum (UK)
The Media CSR Forum is a group of 20 media organisations working to promote environmental and social responsibility practices and understanding for the media sector. Members meet regularly with relevant stakeholders to identify and engage with the most urgent issues, including media literacy.
Media Smart (UK)
A media literacy programme, initially focused on advertising, the objective is to provide children with the tools to help them understand and interpret advertising.
Media Tenor (Germany)
Founded by journalists to provide an objective resource for information on media content trends.
Media Trust (UK)
Media Trust is a dynamic, innovative charity bringing together the media industry and charities. We work to build effective voluntary and community sector communications through a range of partnerships, projects and services including media training, a film and TV production unit, our digital TV station Community Channel, Media Matching and Youth Mentoring.
MediaWise (UK)
MediaWise (formerly PressWise), is an independent charity, set up in 1993 by 'victims of media abuse', supported by concerned journalists, media lawyers and politicians in the UK. MediaWise operates on the principle that press freedom is a responsibility exercised by journalists on behalf of the public, and that the public have a right to know when the media publish inaccurate information.
National Media Museum (UK)
The National Media Museum, base in Bradford exists to Engage, inspire and educate by promoting an understanding and appreciation of photography, film, television, radio and the web; using our collection and knowledge to deliver a cultural programme accessibly and authoritatively.
Ofcom (UK)
The Office of Communications (Ofcom) is the independent regulator and competition authority for the UK communications industries, with responsibilities across television, radio, telecommunications and wireless communications services. Media literacy is a key priority of Ofcom and the website is rich in information and further links.
Reporters sans Frontières (France)
Works to improve press freedom worldwide, by defending journalists and other media professionals who have been imprisoned or persecuted for doing their work, fighting to reduce the use of censorship, and keeping the public opinion and media informed.
Sense About Science (UK)
Sense About Science is an independent charitable trust. The objective is to respond to the misrepresentation of science and scientific evidence on issues that matter to society, from scares about plastic bottles, fluoride and the MMR vaccine to controversies about genetic modification, stem cell research and radiation.
The Broadband Stakeholder Group (UK)
The BSG is a neutral forum for organisations across the converging broadband value-chain to discuss and resolve key policy, regulatory and commercial issues, with the ultimate aim of helping to create a strong and competitive UK knowledge economy.
The Cultural Diversity Network (UK)
The CDN is a network of UK Broadcasters promoting cultural diversity both on and off-screen. The aim is not to sit round and discuss the importance of cultural diversity but to action real change and network with the talent and decision makers to keep Diversity at the top of the agenda.
The Media Channel (USA)
A non-profit, public interest website dedicated to global media issues. It encourages diverse perspectives and aims to inspire debate, collaboration and citizen engagement and action.
The Television Trust for the Environment (UK)
A non-profit production and distribution company specialising in environment, development, health and human rights issues. All its films for broadcast are made on a strictly editorially independent basis.
Tocsin (France)
French-speaking media watch dog that aims to explain to the public and professionals the issues at stake in media coverage, traditional and electronic.
Reports
Digital Britain (1 Jun 2009)
The Digital Britain report is the government’s strategic vision for ensuring that the UK is at the leading edge of the global digital economy. It is an example of industrial activism in a crucial growth sector. The report contains actions and recommendations to ensure first rate digital and communications infrastructure to promote and protect talent and innovation in our creative industries, to modernize TV and radio frameworks, and support local news, and it introduces policies to maximize the social and economic benefits from digital technologies.
Media Literacy Audit: Report on media literacy amongst children (1 May 2006)
This report focuses on children aged 8-15 across the UK. Its purpose is to provide stakeholders with a source of information about children's levels of media literacy. The authors examined children according to two main age-bands – 8-11 and 12-15. They asked children about their media uptake and usage, as well as their attitudes to media and towards learning. They also asked children's parents about the extent and type of rules in the home regarding the media platforms, and compared these with children's responses.
Safer Children in a Digital World: The Report of the Byron Review (1 Jun 2008)
This report contains the government's independent review of the risks to children from exposure to potentially harmful or inappropriate material on the internet and in video games. The study, conducted by Dr Tanya Byron, was commissioned by the Prime Minister in response to a growing moral panic about video games. The Review is thus about the needs of children and young people. In particular, it is about preserving their right to take the risks that form an inherent part of their development by enabling them to play video games and surf the net in a safe and informed way.
