Sir Digby Jones launches regional Media Literacy Strategy

Work is well underway to develop a Media Literacy Action Plan following the launch of Switching On To Media Literacy, the new media literacy strategy for the West Midlands, in June. At the launch Digby, Lord Jones of Birmingham said "(we need to) get media literacy deep into the DNA of the education process," adding "it must become part of every educational, social and economic strategy in our country."

To take forward the work a brief survey of all working in media education in the region to identify existing work and gaps in provision is planned. A new Media Literacy Coordinator for the region is planned for the spring of 2008 and the Media Literacy Task Force, who were instrumental in developing the strategy has been changed into a steering group to oversee implementation of the strategy.

The June launch was attended by over 60 key regional and national stakeholders and saw a rousing keynote address from Digby, Lord Jones of Birmingham, who was Gordon Brown's Skills Envoy at the time and is now a minister in his government. He emphasised the important role media literacy can play in addressing the skills gap in the region to improve children's educational attainment, increase employability and economic prosperity and prepare the region for the challenges of the 21st Century.

When asked what his message to the new Prime Minister about media literacy would be he said "We must get it into schools - it actually begins and ends there". He also admitted that in the past he had been sceptical about the study of media until he visited an incubator unit for micro businesses in Barrow in Furness which helped him understand the contribution the creative industries can make to the 21st Century economy.

The launch also included presentations from Mark Reid, Head of Education at the BFI, Steve Chapman, Head of Regional Partnerships at Screen WM and was Chaired by Jonnie Turpie, Executive Chair of Screen WM and CEO of Maverick Television.

Keep an eye on the MediaNet news pages for the new Media Literacy Survey which will be coming over the next month. To download a copy of the strategy or read more about media literacy in the region visit the Media Literacy pages.

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