Media literacy in Finland : National media education policy

Abstract

Media literacy in Finland is the media literacy policy and the national media education policy document, published by the Ministry of Education and Culture in 2019. The document updates and extends the cultural policy guidelines for media literacy1 published in 2013. The Media literacy in Finland policy document aims to clarify the field of media education and describe the strengths, values and principles of media education in Finland. This document also highlights areas for improvement and the related social, cultural and technological development trends. According to the three main objectives of the media education policy, media education in Finland is comprehensive, of high-quality, and systematic. The policy document includes various proposals for action that support the objectives. Ministry of Education and Culture assigned the task to update the policy to the National Audiovisual Institute (KAVI) and it was prepared in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Culture in cross-administrative and cross-sectoral collaboration with actors involved in media education. An online survey on the current status and future of media education, the results of planning workshops on media education organised in seven towns and cities and interviews with professors were used in the preparation of the policy. Policy documents mentioning media education from various administrative sectors were reviewed as a part of the preparations.