ABSTRACT
Media literacy includes the skills of literacy extended to all message forms, including those little black squiggles on white paper. Educators find numerous reasons to introduce media literacy as part of the curriculum. Some see media literacy as a kind of protect ion for children against the dangers and evils engendered by the excesses of television, and they also see it as an antidote to manipulation and propaganda. Others see media literacy as a new kind of English education, learning to appreciate and analyze ads and sitcoms and films with the same tools used to study poetry, the short story and the novel. Parents are out in force with their video cameras documenting school plays, recitals and all gatherings that highlight their children's genius. Journalism educators must begin to carve out a larger and more productive goal, one that reaches all the children: helping young people develop the citizenship skills to be effective, skillful and critical news readers and viewers.
