Media Literacy Ireland has made a final call for applications for its first-ever awards programme to recognise and celebrate media literacy in Ireland.
Applicants are invited to submit in the four categories: Best Youth-led Media Literacy Intervention, Best Media Literacy Intervention, Media Literacy Media Champion, and the MLI Member Special Contribution.
The closing date for entries is Friday, 10 February, with winners expected to be announced in late March. Details on the awards process and how to enter can be found online at medialiteracyireland.ie/awards.
Projects from across the island of Ireland can apply, from small projects in national schools such as Safer Internet Day and school librarians and public libraries providing training, to organisations delivering bespoke projects and resources and campaigns from online platforms, broadcasters, commentators and influencers.
Supported by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI), the awards aim to raise awareness of the importance of media literacy, recognise the existing media literacy work being undertaken in Ireland, and to inspired the development of new media literacy initiatives.
In Association with
"Never before has digital and communications technology offered us so much opportunity to participate and engage with media, in all its forms, such as civic, cultural, economic and democratic participation," said Prof Brian O'Neill, co-chair of MLI.
"Yet the growing global information crisis shows us that these opportunities also come with risks. For example, this year’s Reuters Digital News Report for Ireland, notes Irish people continue to be concerned about fake news or misinformation.”
Media literacy is key to providing people with the skills and knowledge to understand how media works in the changing environment, according to the BAI's media literacy policy.
“With the MLI Awards we want to celebrate what we have already achieved in Ireland, shine a light on best practice, and encourage even more collaboration across the country and among the wider MLI network," Prof O'Neill said.
(Pic: Getty Images)
