Assessing Media Literacy in the EU: A Comparative Analysis of Member States

The purpose of this report, titled “Media Literacy in EU Member States,” assesses the effectiveness of media literacy initiatives across EU nations, as outlined in the European Commission’s Media Literacy Guidelines. These guidelines, issued in accordance with Article 33a(3) of the Audio-visual Media Services Directive (AVMSD), require member states to provide reports on their media literacy efforts. The report analyses eight of the national reports submitted by member states for the period of 2020-2022, namely D.Rad countries, Austria, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland, and Slovenia. Furthermore, the report examines non-formal educational tools developed and utilised in youth work, particularly those funded through European programs such as Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps youth programmes. The objective of the report is to gauge each country’s adherence to the Commission’s guidelines and to assess the response of the youth sector, supported by EU funding. The report highlights areas of progress as well as areas that require improvement or further attention. Report objectives encompass several key aspects: firstly, to assess the degree to which member states have implemented the EU’s media literacy guidelines; secondly, to evaluate and assess the non-formal educational tools on media literacy specifically tailored for youth workers within the youth sector, aiming for application in youth centres; and thirdly, to pinpoint exemplary practices as well as areas requiring enhancement across the European Union. Special attention is given to evaluating nonformal education tools utilised in youth work, with a particular emphasis on those listed on the SALTO Youth site. Data from official national reports and informal educational resources were consolidated to assess compliance, while a comparative framework was devised to analyse and contrast the initiatives of various member states. The report offers insights into EU media literacy, highlighting both progress and challenges. It also outlines tools developed for youth by or for youth workers, enhancing understanding of media literacy’s importance in fostering informed and critical societies within the EU. The report will be public and adherence to ethical standards and data privacy regulations will be ensured.