Skills for Life: Media Literacy

What is Media Literacy?

Media Literacy is having the knowledge and skills that are necessary to find, evaluate and analyse media in all its forms, including news, social media, videos, advertisements, and online content.

Being media-literate means to be able to:

• Access media: Locate and use a wide range of media sources and digital platforms.
• Analyse media: Carefully examine media messages and understand how and why they are produced.
• Evaluate media: Critically assess what is seen or heard by asking key questions, such as:
  • Who created this message and what is their intention?
  • What methods are used to capture attention or shape opinions?
  • Which perspectives or values are included, and which are left out?
  • Is the information trustworthy, accurate, and backed by evidence?

In general, media literacy enables people to confidently navigate the constant flow of information, recognize misinformation, and make informed, responsible choices in everyday life.

Media Literary Resources from Kildare Library Service

• Media Literacy titles available from the library
• Media Literacy titles on BorrowBox

Useful Resources

Fact Checking

• Fact-Check — Be Media Smart
• Factcheck — TheJournal.ie
• Fact Checks Archive — Snopes.com

Staying Safe Online

• fraudsmart.scamchecker.ie
• Webwise — Internet Safety
• Consumer information - Scams — CCPC