Media Literacy: Australian context & framework

Nerida O’LoughlinGeneral Manager, Outputs Division

International Media Literacy Research ForumMay 15th, 2008London

Media Literacy in Australia: Contexts

Media Regulation

Market context

Social Context

Policy Interventions

Media Literacy

Media regulation and policy contexts

Policy Interventions

Media Regulation

Media Literacy

• Regulatory context – Converged regulator (ACMA)

– A complex regulatory framework

• Policy interventions– Recently elected Rudd government

– New portfolio for Department of Broadband, communications and digital economy (DBCDE)

– Initiatives targeted at building the foundations for the digital economy : Connectivity / Confidence / Capabilities

Market and social contexts

Social context

Market context

Media Literacy

• Market context – Digital technology is changing content

creation and distribution – affecting traditional industries

– Popularity of new communications devices (mobile phones, internet services at home…)

• Social context– Aging population – ¼ of Australians over

65 in 2036– Diverse culture and high migrant

population – Geographic spread with differences

between metropolitan and remote Australia

Media literacy in Australia to date

Media Regulation

Market context

Social Context

Policy Interventions

Media Literacy

• Research – Literature review (2007)– Children media use (Media &

Communications in Australian Families)– Take up of new communications in Australia

(Telecommunications today series)

• Activities– Cybersafety– Net Alert– Information about SPAM (Spam Alert)– Promotion of co-regulatory initiatives (Do

Not Call register)– Information about electromagnetic radiation

and safety – Information on digital broadcasting and

transition to digital– Security, privacy, safety facts sheets– Classification of programs (codes of

practices)

Foundations for a digital economy

ACMA current activities and responsibilities

ConnectivityProviding infrastructure and the technology environment – National broadband networkComputers in schoolsDigital television switchoverOther wireless and cable broadbandConvergent services & devices

Confidence

Providing a secure and trusted environment for digital information –

Identity management, trust infrastructure, e-security, and reliable service performance

Capabilities

Building capabilities to access and create digital content

Access including physical access and skills, understanding and participation incl. ICT skills training for teachers

Content

opportunities for innovative content creation for community and commercial use

Communications Planning

Spectrum planning, licensing managing digital switchover

Information and safeguardsDigital identity managementInformation security (anti-spam and e-security)Service performance (quality of en-user experience for NGN networks)Consumer information and protection

Community research

Community readiness research

Digital literacy – barriers and enablers

Monitoring – take up and use and community attitudes

Regulation and compliance

Content regulation (online and convergent devices)

Codes of practice (broadcasting and internet content)

Media literacy research program

(aimed at understanding broad range of factors influencing and affecting access, understanding and participation in digital media and communications)

1. Media literacy

2. Technology developments

3. Emerging business models

Promoting Media literacy in the digital economy