What is Media Literacy?!?

For centuries, literacy has referred to the ability to read and write. Today, we get most of our information through an interwoven system of media technologies. The ability to read many types of media has become an essential skill in the 21^st Century. Media literacy is the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, and create media. Media literate youth and adults are better able to understand the complex messages we receive from television, radio, Internet, newspapers, magazines, books, billboards, video games, music, and all other forms of media.

Media Literacy Project is already receiving entries for the Bad Ad and Counter Ad Contests! It's not too late for you to get yours in! The deadline for entries is January 30, 2015. To participate in the contest, you must be a resident of the U.S. and enrolled in grades 6-12 in a public or private school or participate in an after-school program or community organization. Each young person may only submit one entry to each contest.

For the Bad Ad Contest you find a bad ad in a magazine and write an essay about why it's inaccurate and/or offensive and how it could be better.

For the Counter Ad Contest you find an original ad and then recreate it to send a different message that is more accurate, humorous, and/or reveals untold stories. Visit each contest page to read more about the rules and how to enter the contest.

Winners for both contests receive $200 and runners-up receive $100!

 

Check out http://medialiteracyproject.org/ for more media literacy information.