Hunt Letter to Livingstone Media Literacy

8/7/2019 Hunt Letter to Livingstone Media Literacy

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Department for Culture, Media and Sport 2-4 Cockspur Street Tel 020 7211 6000Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP London SW1Y 5DH Fax 020 7211 6249Secretary of State www.culture.gov.uk

Your Ref:

Our Ref: 163386/JB/14

Sonia LivingstoneProfessor and Head of the Department of Media andCommunicationsLondon School of Economics and Political Science

[email protected]

22 March 2011

Dear Sonia

Thank you for your email of 15 January about media literacy, and huge apologies for theunacceptable delay in replying.

I can assure you that the Government remains fully committed to the ongoing development

and promotion of media literacy in the UK, though, as with many Government programmes,we have had to re-focus our resources to reflect the present economic circumstances. Werecognise the importance and value of greater media literacy, both in enhancing people'sengagement with digital media, communications and services, and in helping to promote theUKs digital economy. Furthermore, we also recognise that improving media literacy skillsacross the whole population remains a priority in securing suitable uptake of the onlinedelivery of public services and in addressing concerns about potentially harmful mediaimpact.

Reducing the deficit has been the top priority of the Coalition Government and we havebeen determined to tackle this challenge in a targeted way. By focussing our resources we

have been able to limit the cuts made to core frontline programmes. This has been a majorachievement given the scale of the funding challenge across Government. However, indoing this, you will appreciate that we have had to make difficult decisions in relation tofunding across all DCMS sectors, and this has included a phased reduction in our supportfor Ofcoms media literacy work over the current Spending Review period.

Of course, under the Communications Act, Ofcom retain their duty to promote better medialiteracy and we have continued to work closely with Ofcom on the development of theirmedia literacy work programme and priorities, in order to minimise the impact of thesebudget reductions.


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Department for Culture, Media and Sport

In particular, we have recognised that Ofcoms research continues to act as a catalyst foraction and underpins the success of a range of digital media strategies by identifying trendsin media usage, as well as understanding the barriers to the take-up and creative use ofnew media technologies. Ofcoms existing media literacy trackers will provide many of themetrics needed to measure the progress toward delivering a wide range of nationalinitiatives (such as the increased development of digital participation across the UK throughthe work of the Digital Champion, Martha Lane Fox, and the Race Online 2012 Partnership),and to help focus others work in this area notably that by the industry, the UK Council forChild Internet Safety (UKCCIS), and in schools. As such we see this as a key aspect ofOfcoms work which the Government will continue to support over the next 3 years.

The Race Online 2012 partnership between government, industry, charities and individualsdemonstrates our ongoing commitment to the promotion of media skills. The programme,

which now has over 1000 partners who have pledged to help more than 1.9 million peopleget online by the end of the Olympic year, has been supported by 30 million worth ofGovernment funding for community training and access to community-based Internetthrough UK Online centres. One of the recommendations set out in the Race Online 2012manifesto is to support those who need help getting online, recognising that Internet literacyshould be seen as just as important as traditional literacy and numeracy. The partnershipseeks to encourage the development of these skills across a range of public and voluntarysector providers.

In addition to this initiative, we will continue to explore how best to promote media literacyboth across Government and through collaborative work with other organisations. For

example, the Department for Education (DfE) has a range of activities in this area, including:

The current school curriculumcontinues to provide pupils, especially at secondarylevel, with a range of opportunities to develop highly transferrable critical andanalytical media literacy skills, particularly through history, geography and English.However, schools are free to develop media literacy more specifically using whateverresources they feel are most appropriate for the ages and abilities of their pupils. Inaddition, a range of media literacy skills continue to be developed through the non-statutory subject of Personal, Social and Health Education.

The Governments national curriculum reviewlaunched in January 2011 will alsoconsider media literacy issues. There are several strands to the review, includingconsideration of best practice across the world, calls for evidence from interestedparties, and consultations on emerging themes and issues. We anticipate that medialiteracy for young people will be one of the important issues to be raised. Iunderstand that DfE would be keen to receive any views you may have on what themain priorities for the review should be in relation to the development of medialiteracy. The DfE website sets out how the review will go forward and how to giveyour views. The relevant link is:http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/teachingandlearning/curriculum/b0073043/remit-for-review-of-the-national-curriculum-in-england/
http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/teachingandlearning/curriculum/b0073043/remit-for-review-of-the-national-curriculum-in-england/http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/teachingandlearning/curriculum/b0073043/remit-for-review-of-the-national-curriculum-in-england/http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/teachingandlearning/curriculum/b0073043/remit-for-review-of-the-national-curriculum-in-england/http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/teachingandlearning/curriculum/b0073043/remit-for-review-of-the-national-curriculum-in-england/http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/teachingandlearning/curriculum/b0073043/remit-for-review-of-the-national-curriculum-in-england/


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A new DfE Technology policy teamwas set up on 1 March 2011 to continue a rangeof the functions and policy advice previously undertaken by BECTA. The team iscurrently drafting a new strategy document that will include activity on digital andmedia literacy.

Government commissioned review of vocational education DfE anticipate thattaking forward the recommendations set out in the independent Wolf Review (whichwas published at the start of March) will involve exploring the role of media literacy invocational education. Further details can be found at:http://www.education.gov.uk/16to19/qualificationsandlearning/otherqualifications/a0075181/wolf-review-proposes-major-reform-of-vocational-education

UKCCIS and the Bailey Review as you know, through the work of UKCCIS theGovernment continues to support an extensive range of industry-based activity toaddress concerns about childrens Internet safety, many of which are underpinned byprojects aimed at enhancing both childrens and parents media literacy. We will alsobe looking at these issues in the light of any recommendations in this area putforward by the Bailey Review, which is looking into the commercialisation andsexualisation of childhood and is due to report in May.

Media Smart the Government continues to support the work of Media Smart, the

non-profit media literacy programme for school children aged 6 to 11 years old, whichplays a key role in developing young peoples understanding and constructive use ofmodern media, including advertising content. The Government has recently beenexploring with Media Smart the development of teaching materials aimed at helpingchildren critically assess the use of digital enhancement techniques and addressingconcerns about body confidence.

Additionally, the BBC Agreement places a specific duty on the BBC Trust to pay particularregard to the promotion of media literacy as part of its wider purpose remit for sustainingcitizenship and civil society. We liaise with the BBC on the development of a range ofprojects, such as First Click, aimed at achieving these objectives. We will also continue to

encourage other media industry bodies, educational organisations and third sector groups incontinuing to develop a range of media literacy initiatives.

Through these various strands of work we aim to continue to play a significant role in bothfacilitating the coordination of media literacy activity across the UK, and in encouraging thedevelopment of partnerships to ensure an effective and joined-up approach across thevarious strategies and projects that are relevant to enhancing media literacy and digitalparticipation.
http://www.education.gov.uk/16to19/qualificationsandlearning/otherqualifications/a0075181/wolf-review-proposes-major-reform-of-vocational-educationhttp://www.education.gov.uk/16to19/qualificationsandlearning/otherqualifications/a0075181/wolf-review-proposes-major-reform-of-vocational-educationhttp://www.education.gov.uk/16to19/qualificationsandlearning/otherqualifications/a0075181/wolf-review-proposes-major-reform-of-vocational-educationhttp://www.education.gov.uk/16to19/qualificationsandlearning/otherqualifications/a0075181/wolf-review-proposes-major-reform-of-vocational-educationhttp://www.education.gov.uk/16to19/qualificationsandlearning/otherqualifications/a0075181/wolf-review-proposes-major-reform-of-vocational-education


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I hope this reassures you that, across Government, we remain committed to improvingmedia literacy and digital participation in the UK.

With best wishes

Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP

Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport

Documents

Hunt Letter to Livingstone Media Literacy