The University of Central Lancashire’s News Futures 2035 initiative has presented a detailed policy brief on news literacy education to the House of Lords Communications and Digital Select Committee. Led by Dr. François Nel of UCLan’s Media Innovation Studio, the brief outlines a strategic plan to improve news literacy across the UK.
It draws on insights from a May 2024 workshop held in UCLan’s Media Factory with 15 industry experts from diverse fields like industry, policy, education, civil society, and academia. It recommends integrating news literacy into school curricula, expanding lifelong learning opportunities, and creating a News Literacy Forum. These measures aim to equip citizens with critical skills to navigate the modern media landscape and uphold democratic values.
This workshop, funded by Research England and the Google News Initiative, was co-organized by Dr. Nel and Dr. Kamila Rymajdo (UCLan), Professor Simeon Yates and Dr. Gianfranco Polizzi (University of Liverpool), and Frances Yeoman (Liverpool John Moores University). The focus of the workshop was developing robust strategies for news literacy education, emphasising its importance for a healthy society and a functioning democracy.
A key challenge discussed was the growing degree of misinformation. “In our rapidly changing media landscape, the public’s capacity to differentiate between factual information and falsehood is an essential proficiency,” said Dr. Nel.
Experts agreed on the need for novel educational approaches to foster news literacy. Former Google executive Madhav Chinnappa highlighted the importance of incorporating digital literacy into broader news literacy initiatives. “As digital platforms become the primary source of news for many, integrating robust digital literacy training is essential,” Chinnappa said, stressing the need for inclusivity across all age groups.
In turn, Alison Gow from the Public Interest News Foundation addressed maintaining quality journalism. “Educating the public about the sources of their news, and why trustworthy journalism matters, supports the broader ecosystem of public-interest news,” Gow pointed out.
Recommendations for Enhancing News Literacy Education in the UK
In an effort to promote news literacy across the United Kingdom, the working group put forth three core recommendations for the new government. First, they suggest mandating news literacy education at all educational levels, embedding it within the Education Inspection Framework to foster critical thinking and foundational knowledge from an early age. Second, they advocate for expanding news literacy into lifelong learning opportunities, integrating it with digital inclusion programmes to ensure citizens are equipped with essential skills for navigating the online world safely and knowledgeably, addressing the risks of digital engagement without critical literacy skills. Lastly, they propose establishing a News Literacy Forum to coordinate and support initiatives both within and beyond the national curricula and appointing a Minister for Media and Information Literacy to oversee these efforts, ensuring accountability across education, regulation, industry, and civil society.
Collaborative Efforts and Future Steps
The workshop participants highlighted that the success of these recommendations relies on the collaborative efforts of various sectors. Educators, media professionals, policymakers, and tech companies must work together to ensure the effective implementation and integration of news literacy education. The proposed News Literacy Forum and Minister for Media and Information Literacy will play crucial roles in driving these efforts forward.
Participants
The News Literacy Education Working Group includes:
Madhav Chinnappa – Senior Executive Consultant, formerly with Google
Maeve Connolly – Head of Audience Strategy and Growth, The Irish News
Alison Gow – Editorial Consultant and Fellow of the Society of Editors
David Lush – Senior Advisor for Organisational Learning, International Media Support
Professor Julian McDougall – Professor of Media and Education, Bournemouth University and Chair of the Media and Information Literacy Alliance (UK chapter of the Unesco MIL Alliance)
Emma Meese – Director, Independent Community News Network
Elli Narewska – Head of Primary Education, The Guardian Foundation
Dr. François Nel – Reader/Associate Professor of Media Innovation and Entrepreneurship, University of Central Lancashire
Debbie Painter – Curriculum Manager, GCSE Plus, Derby College
Dr. Beth Parkes – Education and Development Manager, IMPRESS
Dr. Gianfranco Polizzi – Postdoctoral Research Associate, Communication and Media, University of Liverpool
Dr. Kamila Rymajdo – Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Central Lancashire
Professor Candice Satchwell – Professor of Literacies and Education, University of Central Lancashire
Professor Simeon Yates – Professor of Digital Culture Communication and Media, University of Liverpool
Frances Yeoman – Programme Leader, Journalism, Liverpool John Moores University
Further Reading and Keeping Informed
The News Futures 2035 Final Report is available via the Media Innovation Studio website.
Express your interest to stay updated about the News Futures Forum, the key outcome from News Futures 2035, via this short form.
