NAMLE "Snapshot 2024" Report Reveals Educators Prioritizing Media Literacy Education Despite Challenges

In an era increasingly dominated by digital media, discerning fact from fiction is more challenging than ever. The proliferation of AI tools enables bad actors to flood social media with misinformation and disinformation, complicating the task of verifying information accuracy and identifying credible sources.

Amid these challenges, the National Association for Media Literacy Education (NAMLE) has released a new report offering hope. "Snapshot 2024: The State of Media Literacy Education in the U.S." provides an in-depth analysis of the current state of media literacy education, underscoring both significant advancements and persistent challenges in this crucial field.

Despite time and resource constraints, educators are dedicating an average of 11 hours per week to teaching media literacy, and national teacher organizations are increasingly emphasizing its importance. The report highlights substantial growth in this area since the last NAMLE Snapshot in 2019.

Highlighting the critical need for high-quality information discernment – a skill impacting everything from academia to politics, including the upcoming presidential election – the report calls for more defined state requirements for teaching media literacy. It identifies the necessity for clear policies and consistent implementation strategies.

NAMLE's recommendations advocate for coherent, collaborative messaging and outcomes, integrating media literacy education across all grades and bolstering local, state, and national efforts in this area.

To support NAMLE's recommendations and strengthen media literacy education efforts at Arizona State University and across the K-16 educational ecosystem, the ASU Learning Transformation Studios is spearheading a comprehensive Media Literacy Task Force, consisting of faculty and staff from every part of the university. In collaboration with the ASU Office of the University Provost, the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, and all of ASU's Schools and Enterprises, the Media Literacy Task Force and its accompanying Working Groups are developing strategies and programs to better equip K-12 and higher-education students with the knowledge and skills they need to navigate an ever-evolving media landscape successfully. 

The Studios is also hosting NAMLE's upcoming Media Literacy Leadership Summit at its California Center Broadway while providing ongoing support for its events, initiatives, and programs.

"This collaboration underscores our shared vision for enhancing media literacy education," said Alan Arkatov, Executive Director of the Learning Transformation Studios and Senior Advisor to ASU President Michael Crow. "By facilitating one of most extensive media literacy initiatives in higher education, hosting the upcoming NAMLE Summit, and providing ongoing resources and support for these critical efforts, the Studios is demonstrating its unwavering support of NAMLE and its membership."