Media Education beyond School

Abstract

Education in and for the media is doubtlessly necessary and is very slowly slipping into regular education, but not very satisfactorily. This work must be fleshed out by the media’s effort to take some responsibility for the educational work as well, not by educating directly, but by trying to match their broadcasts with the values that education is trying to convey. Audiovisual Councils can play a role in driving media education, helping the educational system to meet its responsibility to educate children to use properly the television, the Internet and other regular screens habitually surrounding them. At the same time, these Councils can help media professionals enforce and interpret legislation about audiovisual contents freely and responsibly, thereby facilitating self-regulation. The article contributes the experience garnered by the Audiovisual Council of Catalonia in promoting media literacy..