Introduction

T his book analyzes representative media literacy projects focused on television ("critical viewing skills") oriented to typical members of television audiences-in narrow marketing terms, "the consumers." It seeks to identify major patterns, especially strengths, of those widely varying programs, to assist those now designing and implementing similar projects at all levels: grade and high school, college, and adult education, as well as in local, regional, and even national interest groups. After almost two decades of experimenting and implementing in major areas of the world, the time is ripe for assessing what we have learned in media education directed to critical understanding of television.