The Relationship Between Media Literacy and Civic Participation Among Young Adults in Latvia

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the relationships between different aspects of media literacy as an increasingly needed life-skill, and practices of active citizenship. In our empirical work, we rely on the notion of media literacy as a multidimensional concept consisting of: (1) functional consumption, (2) critical consumption, (3) functional prosumption, and (4) critical prosumption of media. Our sample consists of 406 respondents (36% males and 64% females) in the age group of 18–30. Results show that civic activity is predicted by the functional prosumption, and critical prosumption of media. Based on our results, we argue for media literacy promotion in school and university curricula with an increased emphasis on various practices of information production and sharing as forms of self-expression and media prosumption being a vital part of active citizenship and citizen engagement.