Promoting Media literacy: Ofcom consults on draft recommendations

Recommendations on how online platforms, broadcasters and streaming services should promote media literacy

UK regulator Ofcom has launched a public consultation on a set of draft recommendations designed to help a wide range of services (including broadcasters, streaming services, social media and search platforms) to play a stronger role in promoting media literacy.

The publication of the recommendations is a requirement stemming from Ofcom's three-year media literacy strategy.

Key aims of the recommendations include:

• Meaningful choice by design – embedding inclusive design and policy decisions from the outset;

• User empowerment and control – providing tools for personalisation and support for parents and caregivers;

• Critical engagement skills – promoting educational content, campaigns and partnerships, with attention to underserved audiences;

• Continuous evaluation – assessing and publishing the impact of initiatives.

Alongside the consultation, Ofcom has also published a report highlighting effective approaches to media literacy ("What works in delivering train the trainer media literacy interventions?"). The report, which examines three media literacy "train the trainer" pilot programmes designed for professionals working with children and young people supported by Ofcom that ran from autumn 2023 to spring 2024, sets out reflections from the delivery programmes and draws out common challenges and opportunities.

Stakeholders are invited to submit responses by 8  December 2025,  with final recommendations expected in Spring 2026.

Ofcom welcome responses from all interested parties, including those based outside the UK and especially other regulatory counterparts with a media literacy remit.

• How to promote Media Literacy, Consultation on recommendations for online platforms, broadcasters and services (PDF, EN)

• Further information and consultation documents available here.

Source: Ofcom

Additional EPRA background: 
The need for a holistic and multistakeholder approach to promote media and information literacy has also often been highlighted during the discussions held by EMIL, EPRA's Taskforce on Media Literacy