Mediekundskab

Mediekundskab refers to the ability to access, analyze, evaluate and create media messages, as well as to participate effectively in media culture. It combines elements of information literacy, critical thinking, digital literacy and media ethics, and applies across traditional and new media platforms.

It covers understanding how media are produced, funded and distributed; recognizing bias, persuasion and propaganda; assessing credibility; and identifying errors or misinformation. It also includes privacy, copyright, data rights and responsible online communication.

In education, mediekundskab is typically integrated into curricula to empower citizens to engage in public discourse, make informed choices and participate in democratic processes. National and international policies promote media literacy as a core competence for lifelong learning.

Practices include sourcing and verifying information, evaluating evidence, recognizing misinformation, using fact-checking tools, and creating media content responsibly for various audiences. Digital skills such as search strategies, data literacy and understanding algorithmic curation are part of the competency.

Challenges include rapid changes in media ecosystems, platform polarization, algorithmic personalization, and unequal access to technology. Effective mediekundskab education aims to reduce misinformation, promote ethical participation and support reflective media consumption.

Related concepts include information literacy and digital literacy, and in Danish contexts mediekundskab is often linked to media studies, civics education and lifelong learning.