Media literacy is the ability to critically engage with media in all aspects of life.

In the 21st century, media literacy is essential to safe, productive, and enjoyable engagement with audiovisual culture and artefacts. It is a critical form of lifelong literacy that is essential for full participation in society.

Find out more about Media and Me.

The NFSA is a founding member of Australian Media Literacy Alliance (AMLA), an incorporated association whose object is to advance education relating to media literacy within Australia.

AMLA members collaborate to enable the development of a united approach to media literacy in Australia, to the benefit of citizens.

The NFSA is part of the Australian Research Council funded project Addressing Misinformation with Media Literacy through Cultural Institutions.

The project brings together leading Australian media literacy researchers with national public cultural institutions to produce high-quality and diverse opportunities to improve adult media literacy in Australia.

Research conducted for this project has generated important insights about media literacy and misinformation in Australia. Findings from a series of studies and reports on adult media literacy abilities, needs and experiences in Australia shows that overall confidence is low and there is a real demand for more media literacy education.

Media and Me is the NFSA’s media literacy program

The program introduces students to key concepts in media literacy, develops critical thinking skills and empowers students to become curious and confident media consumers and creators.

Drawing on the NFSA’s vast collection, students investigate how media reflects, influences and challenges our understanding of Australian identity and experience.

Find out more about Media and Me.

AMLA’s media literacy framework

The Australian Media Literacy Alliance (AMLA) have created a media literacy framework, which is available to download as a printable A4 factsheet and A3 classroom poster.

The framework outlines the key concepts and learning outcomes that shape media literacy learning.

Media literacy and the Australian curriculum

The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) has developed curriculum resources to support media literacy education.

ACARA’s Media Consumers and Creators curriculum connection resources build on AMLA’s media literacy framework. They provide guidance to support teaching and learning Foundation to Year 10 in Media Arts, English and Digital Technologies and are mapped to Civics and Citizenship in Year 9.

Addressing misinformation with media literacy

Learn about the Australian Research Council funded project Addressing Misinformation with Media Literacy through Cultural Institutions and how the NFSA are supporting adults to improve their media literacy skills.

Read the reports published by the research team about Australians’ media literacy attitudes, experiences, and needs.

Articles by Australian media literacy experts

Read these articles by Australian media literacy experts about the history and future of media literacy education:

• Media literacy: Definitions, histories and practices (Professor Michael Dezuanni)
• Learn to be a critical media consumer (Dr TJ Thompson)