How the economic crisis in Europe promotes media literacy

The article examines the impact of the economic crisis in Europe on media quality and advocates that although the crisis has jeopardized communication and education, and created serious social and political problems, it promotes a new attitude towards the media which can be considered as a new awareness towards it. A new state of affairs is emerging in which media literacy is needed and its promotion is more important for individuals as well as the public at large. This demand for media literacy requires a new policy and new initiatives. Media education, the promotion of the conditions that foster media literacy and civic participation become the main areas of this movement. The article examines research projects and other initiatives aimed at developing media literacy throughout Europe. It highlights the EMEDUS, FilmEd and DINAMIC projects.