Critical Media Literacy

The goal of critical media literacy is to engage with media through critically examining representations, systems, structures, ideologies, and power dynamics that shape and reproduce culture and society. It is an inquiry-based process for analyzing and creating media by interrogating the relationships between power and knowledge. Critical media literacy is a dialogical process for social and environmental justice that incorporates Paulo Freire's (1970) notion of praxis, "reflection and action upon the world in order to transform it" (p. 36). This pedagogical project questions representations of class, gender, race, sexuality and other forms of identity and challenges media messages that reproduce oppression and discrimination. It celebrates positive representations and beneficial aspects of media while challenging problems and negative consequences, recognizing media are never neutral. Critical media literacy is a transformative pedagogy for developing and empowering critical, caring, nurturing, and conscientious people.

 - This definition was written collaboratively by the steering committee of the Critical Media Literacy Conference of the Americas, 2021. Members of the steering committee include: Neil Andersen, Allison Butler, Renee Childs, Andrea Gambino, Noah Golden, Nolan Higdon, Michael Hoechsmann, Amina Humphrey, Raúl Alberto Mora, Reina Robinson, Jeff Share, James P. Stancil II, Alison Trope, Alicia Olguín, Yolanda Gayol, Mary Grueser.

Available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Mandarin

Association for Media Literacy, AML. Canadian nonprofit organization, since 1978, of professionals, parents, and media members who develop a critical understanding of the nature of media, their techniques, and their impact.

Center for Media Literacy, CML. Website with resources and archive of articles and lessons for teaching media literacy.

Center for Media and Social Impact, CMSI. Research center and lab that creates, studies and showcases media for social impact; at the School of Communication of American University.

Common Sense. US nonprofit organization providing lesson plans, research and articles about media.

Critical Media Project. CMP (University of Southern California). Free media literacy web resources for educators and students with many video clips from popular media about age, class, disability, gender, LGBTQ, race & ethnicity, and religion.

International Council for Media Literacy, ICML. Bridges scholarship with action through The Journal of Media Literacy; formerly known as the National Telemedia Council.

Mass Media Literacy. Massachusetts website with resources to teach critical media literacy.

Media Education Foundation, MEF. Produces and distributes documentary films and other educational resources to inspire critical thinking about the social, political, and cultural impact of American mass media. In Resources, see downloadable Discussion Guides, Lessons & Ideas, full transcripts of each film, and more.

Media Education Lab (University of Rhode Island). Resources, lesson plans, and events that bolster interdisciplinary approaches to research and practice relating to communication, media studies, and education.

MediaSmarts, Canada's Centre for Digital and Media Literacy. Developer of digital and media literacy programs and resources for Canadian homes, schools and communities since 1996; formerly known as Media Awareness Network.

National Association for Media Literacy Education, NAMLE. Largest nonprofit membership organization dedicated to advancing media literacy education in the United States.

Project Look Sharp (Ithaca College). Offers free teaching units, lesson plans, and resources for teaching media literacy.

UCLA Center for Critical Internet Inquiry, C2i2 (University of California, Los Angeles). Center for interdisciplinary, intersectional research. Committed to reimagining technology; championing social, racial, and economic justice; and, strengthening democracy with culture-making and public policy work.

Code of Best Practices in Fair Use for Media Literacy Education (American University School of Communication, Center for Social Media)

 UC Library Search

Catalog of library items, online and in print, in all 10 UC Libraries. 
After search, select:  Online at UCLA

EXAMPLE SEARCHES

Subject
Critical pedagogy
Educational technology
Fake news--United States
Information literacy
Internet and youth
Internet in education--Social aspects
Mass media--Study and teaching
Mass media and education
Mass media and youth
Mass media criticism
Mass media in education
Media literacy
Media literacy--Political aspects--United States
Media literacy--Study and teaching
Minorities in mass media
Popular culture--Study and teaching
Racism in mass media
Social media
Visual literacy--Study and teaching
 

Keywords
critical media
 

​Catalog of books. periodicals, recordings, and other items held in libraries worldwide. Current students and faculty of UCLA may use the Interlibrary Loan Service at the UCLA Library to request sources found in WorldCAT libraries (or any non-UCLA Library).  Subject headings above may be used when searching WorldCAT.