Illinois now mandates media literacy education. Why does it matter?
Illinois is among several states to have passed a requirement for media literacy education, which experts say is more important than ever in an increasingly online world. Martin Meissner/AP, file
In an age of misinformation quickly changing technology, one major part of the cultural reckoning with that fact is media literacy. That’s the idea that people should be able to not just find and understand news, but also analyze its reliability, accuracy and credibility. It also looks at how we consume the media around us. An increasing number of states are requiring instruction of media literacy in some form. Illinois’ law went into effect starting this school year. It mandates a unit of instruction on the topic as part of public high school curriculums.
The 21st was joined by a panel of educators to discuss the new requirement and why media literacy education is important.
GUESTS:
Yonty Friesem
Associate Professor of Civic Media, Columbia College Chicago | Co-founder, Illinois Media Literacy Coalition | Helped to write Illinois' media literacy education law
Elaine Maimon
Adviser, American Council on Education | Past President, Governors State University
Jami Rhue
Library media specialist and teacher, Providence Englewood Charter School in the Chicago Public Schools System
Chris Johnson
Social Studies Teacher, Rochester Middle School
Prepared for web by Owen Henderson
Help shape our coverage on The 21st by joining our texting group and answering weekly questions. To join, text “TALK” to 217-803-0730 or sign up with your phone number below: