The content in this newsletter is a collection of media literacy related news and information from a wide range of sources and inclusion does not imply the endorsement of Media Literacy Ireland.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n October is here which means it is UNESCO\u2019s Global Media and Information Literacy Week. The other big news is that the MLI Awards shortlist has been announced, and the judging process is almost complete. The winners will be revealed on 11 November. Until then, there are lots of reports, resources and events to keep you occupied.<\/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 The shortlisted entries for the 2026 MLI Awards were announced in early October. The 29 shortlisted entries in the six categories represent a diverse range of projects from across the island of Ireland. The high quality of the entries has not made it easy for the judges, but nevertheless, the judging process is well underway, and we are looking forward to hearing the results at the 2026 MLI Awards event, kindly hosted by Virgin Media, on 11 November<\/strong>. Are you interested in delivering media and information literacy training to communities across Ireland? MLI, in collaboration with EDMO Ireland, is accepting applications for a new training programme designed to equip participants to respond to the media literacy learning needs within communities. Interested parties are invited to complete this \u2018expression of interest\u2019 form<\/a> before 6 November<\/strong>. Global Media and Information Literacy Week runs 24\u201331 October<\/strong>. The annual event, which raises awareness of media and information literacy (MIL) is hosted by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). The theme for this year \u2013 #WeAllPlayAPart: Media and Information Literacy for the People<\/em> \u2013 aims to unite people around the world to help build a stronger information ecosystem. To find out what is going on and how to get involved, visit the UNESCO GMILW website<\/a>. Coimisi\u00fan na Me\u00e1n has launched its public consultation on a new Broadcasting Services Strategy<\/a> (BSS). The BSS aims to set out a clear direction for Coimisi\u00fan na Me\u00e1n\u2019s approach to licensing radio and television broadcasting services and to inform its licensing plans over a multi-year period. The purpose of this consultation is to seek views on the future direction of licensing and the related regulatory framework. The UK\u2019s regulator for the communications sector, Ofcom, has launched its Power Up Parents initiative to help parents navigate the ever-changing world of online video games to keep their children safe. The campaign provides a step-by-step guide<\/a> from Internet Matters showing parents how to set up controls for family devices, as well as a more general online safety guide<\/a> to assist parents to monitor their children and provide resources. DCU FuJo is one of the partners in the international TAMeLi (Teacher Academy for Media Literacy in Europe)<\/a> project. Designed to respond to the profound challenges that the digital revolution poses to traditional educational paradigms, the project will produce a practical design toolkit to support teachers and teacher educators in intentionally designing for digital and media literacy (DML), across subjects and educational contexts. Subscribe<\/a> for updates. The Media and Learning Association in collaboration with its partners in the TaLAI Project<\/a> have launched an open online course called Hands-On Guide to Ethical AI in Higher Education<\/em><\/a> for teachers. It provides practical activities, real-world examples and reflective dialogue to participants as they explore what GenAI makes possible in university teaching, and where its limits lie. As part of its ongoing Media Literacy series, Solar Ireland explores how images can shape the energy debate and explores the skills needed to navigate today\u2019s information environment. VerityED, the education branch of the nonprofit Improve the News Foundation is offering 20 educators a minimum grant of $1,000 plus potential bonuses to pilot media literacy lessons for grades 7\u201312 covering misinformation, bias, source evaluation, and responsible AI. Educators from across the world are eligible and recipients of the grant do not need to be media literacy experts, as they will receive one-to-one coaching from VerityED throughout the process. The SID 2027 Ambassador Training Programme is a peer-to-peer programme for post-primary students. Webwise is looking for young people who have the passion to lead an internet safety awareness raising campaign in their school. Open to post-primary students across Ireland. Deadline for applications<\/a> is 6 November<\/strong>. The Media and Learning Association has issued a call for contributions for the From Innovation to Educational Impact<\/em> conference, taking placeJune 2027 in Leuven, Belgium. Contributors are encouraged to show how things are done, what they have learned along the way, what worked \u2013 and what did not \u2013 and how these experiences can inform practice elsewhere. Deadline for submissions<\/a> is 18 December.<\/strong> A new report by the Centre for Justice and Law Reform makes eight recommendations to safeguard Ireland\u2019s election integrity from online attacks, while respecting fundamental rights and democratic values. One of those recommendations calls for the coordination and expansion of existing media literacy initiatives. Finland has updated its national Media Literacy Education Policy<\/a> in response to the rise in AI, algorithms and information influencing activities changing the media world. This latest version moves towards a cross-cutting societal strategy and positions media education as a key part of comprehensive security, strengthening democracy and building trust and hope in society. A Joint Oireachtas Committee<\/a> report has called for tougher regulations, safer platform design, robust age verification and a major investment in digital and media literacy. The report makes 45 wide-ranging recommendations covering legislation and regulation, approaches and measures to progress online safety, provision of resources and ensuring the voices of young people are considered when decisions are being made. Across Europe researchers are seeing an increasing hybridisation of hostile state threats and extremist violence, presenting a growing challenge to national security. The recently released report from the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, Lessons from Extremism Prevention for Countering Hybrid Threats: A Framework for Policy Response<\/em><\/a>, considers what parts of government are best placed to address these threats and examines the legal efforts to address state and non-state threats. A new United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) background paper looks at the opportunities and challenges there are around AI in children\u2019s education. The report titled Is there a right age for AI in education? Deciding whether AI is age-appropriate and why<\/em><\/a> weighs up the suitability of age-appropriate AI in education. It also calls on policymakers and educators to build a shared, evidence-based criteria for what this means in specific developmental and educational contexts. <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a>EDMO<\/strong><\/a> is an EU-wide network of factcheckers, media literacy practitioners and researchers seeking to build resilience to disinformation. EDMO Ireland developed the Be Media Smart \u2018Workshop in a Box\u2019<\/a>, works on media literacy research and standards, and co-hosts the annual Disinformation Forum with MLI. Coimisi\u00fan na Me\u00e1n<\/strong><\/a> is Ireland\u2019s agency for developing and regulating a thriving, diverse, creative, safe and trusted media landscape. Coimisi\u00fan na Me\u00e1n funds and facilities MLI and promotes media literacy initiatives for individuals, communities, policymakers and institutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This month EDMO Ireland\u2019s Dr Eileen Culloty was a featured trainer at the online session Media Literacy by Design: Practical Approaches for Platforms and Users. Can We Do Better?<\/em><\/a> while EDMO’s factchecking partner The Journal <\/em>has been debunking claims<\/a> about public sector pay increases, turf, and the budget. <\/p>\n\n\n\n EDMO Ireland\u2019s research was also highlighted in a new report from the Law Society\u2019s Centre for Justice and Law Reform, Safeguarding Irish Election Integrity in the Era of Emerging Digital Threats<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Coimisi\u00fan na Me\u00e1n website<\/a> has been updated with a new step-by-step guide on how to report harmful and illegal content on Pinterest<\/a>. The How to Report<\/a> section also has guides for YouTube, X, TikTok, Facebook and Instagram. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Coimisi\u00fan na Me\u00e1n hosted the 64th EPRA meeting<\/a> in Dublin in October with over 150 delegates exploring timely issues relating to media regulation in Europe, including declining trust in media and society\u00a0and protecting and empowering minors online.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you would like to receive information about future educational resources, events and updates from the Media Literacy and User Education team at Coimisi\u00fan na Me\u00e1n, you can sign up using this form<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/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 <\/p>\n\n\n\n Learning Waves\u2019 From AI Policy to AI Practice: How to comply with the EU AI Act<\/a> is a course that aims to help radio stations move from an industry-approved AI policy to responsible AI practice. The programme also explains the EU AI Act in clear language and uses realistic, department-specific scenarios to show how the sector\u2019s AI policy should be applied across a radio station. Register<\/a> now to secure your place.<\/strong> This first session of a six-part webinar series brings educators, researchers, students and activists from around the world together with the Palestinian faculty and youth who have been building media literacy under occupation, war and displacement. Attendees will also hear findings from the 21-month Media Literacy: Critical Thinking for an AI World<\/em> project. Register<\/a> now to secure your place. This EU Disinfo Lab webinar introduces the concept of hype around AI and helps people decode the disinformation dynamics around the technology, often disguised as PR, vision statements, or forecasting, while exploring the implications for its use and regulation. Register<\/a> now to secure your place. Created by Disabled Women Ireland and the Disability Participation News Hub, and funded by Coimisi\u00fan na Me\u00e1n, the Access Media<\/em> series is holding its fifth and final session on the impact of mis- and disinformation on disabled people in November. Learn how inaccurate and damaging narratives take hold, spread, and become embedded in public understanding, and what journalists and disabled people can do to challenge them. Register<\/a> now to secure your place. The Age-Friendly AI Assembly, which takes place in Galway, is a key element of Age-Friendly AI, Ireland\u2019s national AI literacy and dialogue initiative for older adults. Assembly participants will be asked to reflect on the process around the initiative to date and the key insights gleaned from it and help shape key recommendations for a forthcoming expert report on Age-Friendly AI. Register<\/a> now to secure your place. Part of the Media and Learning Association\u2019s Wednesday Webinars on Digital and Media Literacy in Europe series, this webinar will try to answer the question: Who teaches media literacy when institutions don\u2019t reach people? Hosted by the Digital Futures for Children Centre and 5Rights Foundation, this in-person and online event will explore how social media bans may affect marginalised and minority youth and how a child rights-respecting approach is key to this new government policy. Register<\/a> now to secure your place. Safer Internet Day 2027 takes place on Tuesday 9 February 2027 with the theme of Our Voices, Our Choices: Creating a safe, fair and trustworthy internet<\/em>. On behalf of the Irish Safer Internet Centre, Webwise is hosting a short online information session next month for schools and organisations from across Ireland to discuss the collaborative plans for the day, how to get involved and supporting resources. Register<\/a> now to secure your place. The EDMO Training series is holding a session titled Rethinking media literacy as a family: who is teaching whom?<\/em> that explores media literacy as a shared family practice rather than an individual skill. The online course will look at how trust and misinformation circulate within households, how generative AI is creating new risks for children, and how caregivers\u2019 own sharing habits affect children\u2019s digital footprints. Registration details<\/a> will be available soon. Media professionals from around the world will gather in Thessaloniki, Greece, to celebrate journalism\u2019s pivotal role in society, while fostering critical thinking around disinformation. This free in-person conference is designed to emphasise media freedom and media literacy as essential elements for the functioning of our societies and will consist of debates, interactive workshops, exhibitions, art, films, and more. Register<\/a> now to secure your place.<\/strong> The MILES EU EDU project develops innovative approaches for teachers, students, and parents, promoting media and information literacy, introducing the concept of pre-bunking, and strengthening data and digital literacy skills. This six-hour, hybrid conference will dive into the world of disinformation and explore ways to boost critical thinking in education and connect like-minded educators and policy makers. Register<\/a> now to secure your place. Ofcom\u2019s annual Media Literacy Conference will bring together stakeholders to explore the future of media literacy on Tuesday 1 December<\/strong>. The theme of this London-based event is Navigating What\u2019s Next<\/em> and it will address topics ranging from the evolving patterns of media consumption to questions around online participation, artificial intelligence, digital inclusion, trust and changing legal and regulatory landscapes. The Safer Internet Forum (SIF) has put child safety online at the heart of its 3 December<\/strong> 2026<\/strong> conference in Brussels, Belgium. The event, themed Balancing Protection and Empowerment Online<\/em>, will reflect on the newly proposed EU KIDS Act following the recommendations of EU President Ursula von der Leyen\u2019s Special Panel on child safety online. Register<\/a> now to secure your place.This Month in Media Literacy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Announcements<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.medialiteracyireland.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Annoucements-cropped.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
MLI Awards shortlist announced<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
More<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nLast call for participants in MLI media literacy training programme<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
More<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nGlobal Media and Information Literacy Week<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
More<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nPublic consultation on new Broadcasting Services Strategy<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
More<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nPower Up Parents campaign helps children stay safe while gaming online<\/strong><\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
More<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nTAMeLi project connects research and practice for teachers<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
More<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nNew Course: Ethical Gen AI use in teaching<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
More<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nSolar Ireland Research: Can you trust what you see?<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
More<\/strong><\/a>
<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nCalls to the Media Literacy Community<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Funding available: VerityED grants <\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
More<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nCall for Safer Internet Day Ambassadors<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
More<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nCall for contributions: From Innovation to Educational Impact Conference<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
More<\/strong><\/a>
<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nResearch and Reports<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.medialiteracyireland.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Research-and-Reports-3.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nMedia literacy recommended to help to safeguard Ireland\u2019s election integrity<\/strong><\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
More<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nNew Media Literacy Education Policy for Finland<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
More<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nJoint Oireachtas Committee report on Technology, Social Media and Children<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
More<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nNew ISD report on Countering Hybrid Threats<\/strong><\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
More<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nUNESCO Research: Is there a right age for AI in education?<\/strong><\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
More<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nKey Partner Updates<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.medialiteracyireland.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/EDMO-1.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.medialiteracyireland.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Cnam.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nEDMO Ireland Updates<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
Coimisi\u00fan na Me\u00e1n Updates<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nEvents<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.medialiteracyireland.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Save-the-date-cropped.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nFrom AI Policy to AI Practice: How to Comply with the EU AI Act \u2013 3 November<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
More<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nMedia Literacy in a Time of War: Voices from Palestine \u2013 4 November<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
More<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Hype around AI and its Potential for Disinformation \u2013 5 November<\/strong><\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
More<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nAccess Media Session 5: Misinformation and Disinformation in the Media: The Impact on Disabled People \u2013 10 November<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
More<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nAge-Friendly AI Assembly \u2013 17 November<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
More<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nCommunity-led approaches to building trust and digital resilience \u2013 18 November<\/strong><\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
More<\/strong><\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\nWhose Childhood, Whose Safety? Marginalised Youth and Social Media Bans \u2013 19 November<\/strong><\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
More<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nSafer Internet Day 2027 Information Session \u2013 25 November<\/strong><\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
More<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nOnline training: Rethinking media literacy as a family \u2013 25 November<\/strong><\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
More<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nVoices European Festival of Journalism and Media Freedom \u2013 26 to 28 November<\/strong><\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
More<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nAgainst Disinformation \u2013 Towards Critical Thinking \u2013 27 November<\/strong><\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
More<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nOfcom\u2019s Annual Media Literacy Conference \u2013 1 December<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
More<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nSafer Internet Forum Annual Conference \u2013 3 December<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>More<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n