NEW NEW Resource Published:  Media Literacy: Contribution of Irish Community Radio M.A.in Media Studies Thesis, Irena Cvetkovic September 2010 PDF Document (click here for more Research on Community Radio)

Media Literacy is  defined in the 2009 Broadcasting Act as meaning to bring about a better public understanding of:

1. the nature and characteristics of material published by means of broadcast and related electronic media,
2. the processes by which such material is selected, or made available, for publication by broadcast and related electronic  media,
3. the processes by which individuals and communities can create and publish audio or audio-visual material by means of broadcast and related electronic media, and
4. the available systems by which access to material published by means of broadcast and related electronic media is or can be regulated;

Thus the definition of media literacy includes the involvement of communities/individuals in the production of media as well as an awareness of how media work and influences society.

Craol is currently creating practical training materials for use by Community Radio Stations in promoting media literacy as stated in the 2009 Broadcasting Act. In Autumn/Winter 2010 Craol will be be running workshop(s) with member stations trainers in media literacy both to enhance their own understanding, and to equip them to train others. A media literacy network within Craol has been formed to faciltate these.

In the past few years, media literacy workshops have been run by CRAOL at Community Radio Training events to explore the subject further. In June 2010 Minister Eamon Ryan recognised the vital role that Craol and Community Radio has to play in developing media literacy.