Rethinking Media Literacy: A Coalition Demands a New Approach

A coalition in Turkey is calling for a fundamental shift in how media literacy is taught. It proposes a new framework focused on human rights, multiple perspectives, and community action. The proposal was presented by the Media Literacy Coalition at its annual meeting on December 15, 2025. The meeting was held at the Atölye BİA workshop in Istanbul. The coalition itself was formed under the "Our Media" project. This project is supported by the IPS Communication Foundation, the organization behind the independent news platform bianet. The group's new framework moves beyond traditional lessons on spotting "fake news." Instead, it argues for a rights-based approach. This means teaching people that access to reliable information is a fundamental right. The model is also "multi-actor," involving not just schools but also journalists, civil society, and tech platforms. Finally, it is "societal," aiming to build critical thinking as a shared public responsibility for a healthier democracy.