Inquiry launched into media literacy

• Call for evidence
• Inquiry: Media literacy
• Communications and Digital Committee

Background

Media literacy is crucial to ensure individuals can understand, and make informed decisions about, what they see, hear and read in both traditional and online media. Research suggests there is room for improvement in this area in the UK. According to Ofcom, only 45% of UK adults are confident they can judge whether sources of information are truthful. Just 30% are confident they can identify whether content is AI generated. Children and young people, who are increasingly active online, face challenges in recognising online advertising, and distinguishing between real and fake content.

Despite its importance, media literacy initiatives have suffered from short-term and small-scale funding. While media literacy is taught in some schools, it does not form part of the national curriculum.

This inquiry will seek to establish a clear vision for what good media literacy would look like in the UK, and examine the barriers to achieving this vision. The Committee will consider the roles and responsibilities of the Government, industry and regulators in advancing media literacy, and aim to identify and prioritise the key actions required to enhance media literacy skills across the population.

Chair’s comments 

Launching the inquiry, Baroness Keeley, Chair of the Committee, said:  

“The ability to critically analyse media, communications and online content is of increasing importance to us all. Being media literate can help protect people of all ages from scams, disinformation and exposure to harmful content.  

“As online AI tools become increasingly powerful it is vital that the public can understand what they are seeing and why. The fact that less than a third of adults are confident they can identify AI-generated content is deeply concerning. 

“We want to understand how the UK can get better at media literacy. We are falling behind internationally, so it is important to examine what we can do to improve media literacy education both in schools and into adulthood. 

“The strength of our inquiry will depend on the quality of the evidence we receive, so I would encourage anyone with knowledge or an interest in this area to send in their views.” 

Deadline 

The Committee invites written contributions by 5.00pm on Friday 11 April 2025. 

Further information

• About Parliament: Select committees
• Visit Parliament: Watch committees

Image: Vorda Berge - stock.adobe.com