Political aspect of media literacy

Abstract

The author considers media literacy as an ability to find in mass media the information s/he needs, to critically analyze it, to check its credibility and authenticity, and – in case it is needed – to produce elementary media messages. Different areas where media literacy and political culture overlap are presented in this article. How important is an ability to navigate the vast information landscape within the context of fostering interest to politics and mass media credibility? How does media literacy affect political culture? How does all this influence features of political system? The author tries to find answers to these questions and analyzes results of public surveys conducted by “Public Opinion” Fund and related to the problem discussed.