Critical media literacy as a basic citizen skill
The new startegic and social aim of the Federation of the Finnish Media Industries is to develop the media literacy of children and the young. Professionally competent media education and self-regulation of the sector improve media safety in the future. Development of teaching plans and teacher training play a key role.
The media literacy of especially children, young and educators needs to be improved. The teaching of media skills needs to be started already at an early age. Professionally competent media education promotes a balanced and lasting relation to the media among children and the young while the child learns to use the media safely for his/her personal needs.
Our aim is to ensure high-quality media services in Finland. A media-literate audience is the requirement for keeping the use and consumption of media services on a healthy and sustainable ground.
Competence of teachers needs to be developed urgently
The media education skills of teaching and education personnel need improvement. Currently the teaching is quite varied. There are no resources, skills or specialised teachers for media education. The education is often seen as a technical skill and the contents are neglected.
Nationwide planning and coordination is primarily the task of education authorities. The cities and municipalities have the main responsibility as organisers of education. Our task as an interest organisation is to strengthen the position of media education in teacher training and promote media teaching and research also on a wider scale.
A shared issue for all media
Newspapers, periodicals and the book business have a long tradition in media education work. The new media education policy of the Federation of the Finnish Media Industries defines and directs the cooperation between the various media. All member organisations of the Federation participated in the work group that set the policy strategy.
