The European Charter for Media Literacy: Meaning and Potential

Abstract

This article offers a brief outline of the background, origins and purposes of the European Charter for Media Literacy. The Charter constitutes a new approach to the formation of a network of media educators in Europe. Rather than proposing a bureaucratic organisation with formal membership, it offers a consensual definition of media literacy to which organisations and individuals can demonstrate their affiliation simply by signing the Charter online. The steady growth of registered visitors to the European Charter for Media Literacy website, and the number of Charter signatories nearing 200, indicates widespread interest and support for the concept; however, the effectiveness of the Charter as a catalyst for debate and collaboration remains to be proved.