This Month in Media Literacy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Where did that year go? It\u2019s been a busy year and we\u2019ve gathered together some of the MLI highlights on the website<\/a>. If the contents of this, the last newsletter of the year, is anything to go by, 2026 will be another packed media literacy year. Don\u2019t miss the funding opportunities and calls for contributions highlighted below. We also have links to interesting research on everything from AI and information integrity around elections, to news literacy and media literacy training programmes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n On 12 November, the European Commission presented\u00a0the\u00a0European Democracy Shield<\/a>, setting out a\u00a0series of concrete measures to empower, protect, and promote strong and resilient democracies\u00a0across the EU.\u00a0The actions under the European Democracy Shield will further boost the EU\u2019s ability to counter information manipulation and disinformation and strengthen resilience. European Commissioner Michael McGrath highlighted the European Democracy Shield and the vital role of trusted information in building a resilient and healthy society at the Citizens Information Board Informed Citizens, Strong Democracy: Why Trust in Information Matters. <\/em>A short video of the event is available on the Citizens Information Board LinkedIn page<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n More than 50 media academics from across Ireland have signed a joint statement highlighting the democratic risks of hollowing out RT\u00c9\u2019s public service capacity. The statement, published on 10 December, highlights five common myths that shape public debate about Ireland\u2019s public media infrastructure and calls for a strong vision for how public service media can evolve to support a resilient democracy and a cohesive society. CyberSafeKids has launched its Gadget Gift Guide, aimed at ensuring that children have a safer online experience. The guide seeks to help parents and guardians become better informed before purchasing smart devices for their children and young people. The guide is available to download here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In November, FraudSMART issued a fresh warning, particularly to those over the age of 50, to be on alert as highly convincing investment scams, promising guaranteed and profitable returns, continue to rise. The latest trend has seen a marked increase in the use of pop-up adverts online and on social media featuring fake, AI-generated endorsements from celebrities. Hibernia College has announced the re-launch of its Digital Literacy OER (Open Education Resources) with additional content. Launched in late 2023, the course covers information literacy, digital wellness and identity, and communication and collaboration. The updated version additionally looks at digital technology proficiency, solving common digital problems and creating digital content with AI support. This free resource may be downloaded here<\/strong><\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Media and Information Literacy Lab (MilLab) is an interactive online platform of Media Development Foundation (MDF) in Georgia that is designed to promote critical thinking, media literacy, and responsible media consumption. It features educational resources, media literacy quizzes, competitions, interactive games and exercises that help users to better understand the media landscape. Promoting the aims of the Adult Literacy for Life Strategy<\/a>, the Collaboration and Innovation Fund offers finance for projects and activities that support adults with unmet literacy, numeracy, digital and financial literacy needs. The total funding available for 2026 is \u20ac1 million and the deadline for submitting your application is 22 January 2026<\/strong>. The Media Literacy Call 2026<\/a> from Creative Europe supports innovative cross-border media literacy projects and practices across Europe. This funding aims to address the challenges of the continuously changing digital media landscape. The deadline for applications is 11 March 2026<\/strong>. The International Association for Media and Communication Research (IAMCR) invites the submission of abstracts for its 2026 conference. Hosted by the University of Galway, the conference will take place from 28 June\u20132 July. The central theme for the 2026 conference is Peripheries and Connections: Media, Communication, and Transformation<\/em>, addressing the complexities of contemporary media systems in a polarised and interconnected world. The deadline to submit proposals is3 February 2026<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The next Media & Learning Conference will take place on 17\u201318 June 2026 in Leuven, Belgium. The organisers are accepting proposals on a variety of themes from policymakers, media producers, learning designers and educators. The deadline for proposals is 31 January 2026<\/strong>. New research by NewsBrands Ireland and Colourtext examined young Irish people\u2019s engagement with established news brand platforms, news awareness, and perceptions of journalism, fake news, and advertising. The research finds that 16\u201329-year-olds in Ireland view established news brands as their most trusted sources in a complex media landscape, using them for verification, in-depth analysis, and credible reviews that influence their purchasing decisions. The News Literacy Project\u2019s inaugural report had found that many teenagers are distrusting of news media in the US. The report reveals that 45% of teens think that journalists do more to harm democracy than to protect it and that only 56% believe that journalists and news organisations take journalism standards, such as accuracy and fairness, seriously in their work. For decades, traditional search tools have helped people locate web pages to answer their questions, but generative AI search tools are changing that model by generating the answers themselves \u2014 a shift that has led some to describe them as \u2018answer engines\u2019. Ofcom\u2019s discussion paper The Era of Answer Engines <\/em>looks at how GenAI search works, the challenges it poses, and how safeguards, such as media literacy training, can improve GenAI search experiences. A new report examines three media literacy \u2018train-the-trainer\u2019 pilot programmes for professionals working with children and young people. The report explores what works for this type of delivery, outlining common challenges and offering tips for organisations that are considering \u2018train-the-trainer\u2019 initiatives in media literacy for staff working with children and young people. A joint investigation by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue and the Hope and Courage Collective documented and analysed 172 instances of political mis- and disinformation published on X, TikTok, Facebook and YouTube in the run-up to the Irish presidential election in October. Analysis identified many false, misleading and delegitimising narratives about both the electoral process and candidates, as well as the use of generative AI to create misleading or derogatory images targeting candidates A report by Ofcom\u2019s Online Information Advisory Committee focuses on the area of online fraud where people are exposed to financial loss after exposure to false or misleading information. The report outlines how harms can result from false or misleading content online; it examines how these harms are distributed across age groups; and it offers recommendations on how to confront these challenges while upholding individuals\u2019 rights. Read the full report here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n The European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO) is an EU-wide network of factcheckers, media literacy practitioners, and researchers seeking to build resilience to disinformation. EDMO Ireland is one of 14 hubs that is part-funded by the EU. EDMO Ireland developed the Be Media Smart \u2018Workshop-in-a-Box\u2019, works on media literacy research and standards, and co-hosts the annual Disinformation Forum with MLI. EDMO Ireland in partnership with Media Literacy Ireland will continue to deliver LGMA media literacy training to librarians on 12 December.<\/p>\n\n\n\n EDMO has shared its initial observations of several concerning trends in how online platforms have addressed electoral integrity during Ireland\u2019s 2025 Presidential Election. The patterns observed include amplification of disinformation via platform features, insufficient \u2018user education\u2019 tools and lack of labelling on AI-generated content. EDMO Ireland will publish a detailed report on platform behaviour during the election in the coming weeks and more on the initial findings can be found here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Part of a webinar series on digital and media literacy in Europe, this session will explore how hate speech is defined and regulated across different European countries, how media literacy can support individuals in navigating the legal and ethical boundaries of digital expression and rights, and the evolving role of libraries and public institutions in promoting informed, rights-based digital citizenship. Funded by Irish Aid\u2019s Worldwide Global Schools, this free teacher CPD workshop will support teachers to develop skills in critical media literacy by building their students (and their own!) capabilities as active global citizens. The online session will offer tools and activities for the classroom and explore some ways to respond to global issues in the media as a whole school. Taking place online and in Malaga, Spain, the ICMLCAE-26 will focus on the discipline of media literacy, communication, and education and enable researchers from around the world over to gather together, learn from one another, share their expertise, and develop important policies and mechanisms. The deadline for registration is 18 January<\/strong> and abstracts for paper submissions should be submitted by 13 January<\/strong>. Organised by the Children\u2019s Media Foundation in partnership with BAFTA, the Children\u2019s Media Summit will take place in London on 16 February and will welcome delegates from children\u2019s advocacy bodies, broadcasters, producers, researchers, the new platforms, regulators and policymakers. The aim will be to discuss and develop actionable proposals for change in order to build a better viewing experience for children and young people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n A recent session with the Learning Waves Radio Presenter Course looked at the vital importance to getting the facts right in today\u2019s fast-moving media world. Delivered by radio industry professional Laura Donnelly, the key message for radio presenters was that it is better to be right than first. The annual Youth Culture Uncovered 2025 event took place at THINKHOUSE HQ in Dublin, bringing together young people aged 16-35 to discuss their different perspectives on digital youth culture. This year\u2019s Youth Lab explored the theme of influence, looking at how creators, content, and technology are reshaping youth culture and brand engagement. A recent EU Disinfo Lab webinar examined how history and archaeology have been manipulated in the past to legitimise power and justify persecution and how old methods of distortion are now being adapted to today\u2019s information environment. Another very successful MLI Conference took place at the Clayton Hotel, Ballsbridge. We are very grateful to all 25 speakers and panellists, as well as our very engaged audience for a wonderful day of networking, learning and knowledge-sharing exploring the themes of supporting communities, fostering citizenship, and promoting democracy. You can read all about it on the MLI website. Roblox is a popular platform among children, with over 8 million daily users in Europe estimated to be aged 12 or younger. Despite the platform’s popularity, media reports indicate that there is a significant lack of awareness among both young users and their parents about the potential risks on the platform. To address this issue, Europol has developed a game called Cyber Defenders. By leveraging a familiar platform and engaging children through a game, Europol hopes to empower young users to navigate the online world safely and make them comfortable asking for help. The resources<\/a> section of the MLI website provides easy access to a variety of resources on a wide range of media literacy topics. You can now filter by topic, target audience and resource type. If you would like to submit a resource for inclusion in this library, please complete this<\/a> form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thank you all for joining us on another exciting and successful media literacy year and we look forward to bringing you all the media literacy news in 2026. Have a safe and wonderful break everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have a colleague or friend who might enjoy these updates, they can register to become an MLI member<\/a> or just subscribe<\/a> to receive the newsletter. For any membership issues, or if you have something you’d like to include in next month\u2019s edition of the newsletter, please email us at info@medialiteracyireland.ie<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Kind regards, <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Read the November MLI newsletter for media literacy related news and updates.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1309,"featured_media":5551,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[349,23],"tags":[294,162,267],"class_list":["post-6433","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mli-news-2","category-news","tag-media-literacy-events","tag-media-literacy-ireland","tag-newsletter"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nAnnouncements<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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European Democracy Shield: Empowering Strong and Resilient Democracies<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
Academics call for evidence-based debate on the future of public service media<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
More<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nA new Gadget Gift Guide from CyberSafeKids<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
Over 50s warned about investment scams with AI-generated celebrities<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
More<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nHibernia College updates and expands its Digital Literacy OER <\/h6>\n\n\n\n
Adventures in media literacy: MilLab\u2019s innovative approach to critical thinking<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
More<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nAdult Literacy for Life Collaboration and Innovation Fund 2026<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
More<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nCreative Europe funding available for media literacy initiatives<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
More<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nCall for proposals: IAMCR Conference 2026<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
More<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nCall for proposals: Media and Learning Conference 2026<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nResearch and Reports<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nNews for the Next Generation: A study of young people\u2019s engagement with established news brands <\/em><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
More<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nNews Literacy in America Report: A survey of teen information attitudes, habits and skills<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
More<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nGenerative AI\u2019s impact on search experiences and online safety<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
More<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nOfcom report: What works in delivering \u2018train-the-trainer\u2019 media literacy interventions<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
More<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nIrish Presidential Election 2025: Report Reveals Widespread Disinformation and Platform Failures<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
More<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nUnderstanding Online Financial Harm: Fraud, Scams and Disinformation<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
EDMO Updates<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhat is EDMO?<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
More<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nLGMA media literacy training<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
Platforms Failing on Electoral Integrity: EDMO Ireland\u2019s Initial Findings<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
Events<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Media & Learning Webinar: Lines of speech: hate, harm and the laws across borders \u2013 17 December<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
Register here<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nTeacher CPD: Critical media literacy \u2013 27 January<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
More<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nInternational Conference on Media Literacy, Communication and Education 2026 \u2013 2-3 February<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>More<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Children\u2019s Media Summit \u201926<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
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In Case You Missed It <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nFact-checking and fighting misinformation on air \u2013 22 October<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
More<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nYouth Culture Uncovered 2025 \u2013 29 October<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
More<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nWeaponising the past; Historical disinformation as a tool to legitimate aggressive politics \u2013 9 November<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
Watch the recorded session here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nMLI Conference 2025 \u2013 26 November<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
More<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nResource of the Month <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Cyber Defenders game and resources from Europol<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/a>More<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nLooking for media literacy resources?<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
Thanks for reading!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The MLI Team<\/p>\n\n\n\n