Adult Media Literacy
The Adult Media Literacy in Australia Project (2020-2021) investigates adult media literacy levels, needs and gaps in Australia. Working in partnership with the Australian Media Literacy Alliance (AMLA) and using a broad stakeholder consultation process, the research team implemented a national survey in 2021 and 2024.
The next media literacy survey is scheduled for 2027.
National Benefit
Prior to this survey, very little was known about adult media literacy in Australia and no nationally representative data existed. This prevented civil society organisations, public institutions, and governments from designing evidence-based responses to address needs and challenges. To address this, the project:
- Carried out two consultation workshops with 17 stakeholder organisations to inform the design of a national survey
- Implemented a nationally representative Adult Media Literacy survey in 2021 (n=3510) and 2024 (n=4442).
- Conducted 25 interviews with social service organisations who work closely with groups who were found to be at risk of having a lower level of media literacy.
- Consulted with Federal government and 89 organisations to develop a pathway for a national media literacy strategy.
- Hosted a national media literacy research symposium across three states (Brisbane, Canberra, and Sydney).
This project is the largest adult media literacy research study ever carried out in Australia. It has supported a shared understanding of media literacy needs and challenges and provided the momentum for stakeholders to partner with AMLA to cultivate collective, effective, and evidence-based solutions.
The 2021 survey informed a national consultation process designed to identify a pathway forward to advance the Media Literacy of all Australians. Six workshops were hosted, involving 121 people representing 89 organisations from every state and territory in Australia. This resulted in the report, Towards a National Strategy for Media Literacy, which was presented to Federal Government October 2021.
The surveys have been widely cited by government departments including the proposed Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation Bill 2024.
Research Team
- Associate Professor Tanya Notley, Western Sydney University
- Professor Michael Dezuanni, Digital Media Research Centre, Queensland University of Technology
- Professor Sora Park, News & Media Research Center, University of Canberra.
- Dr Simon Chambers, MARC Institute, Western Sydney University
To implement this project, research team worked in partnership with the Australian Media Literacy Alliance.
Funding
Phase 1: The National Association for Media Literacy Education (NAMLE). Support for this research project is made possible through a grant from Facebook.
Period: 2020-2021
Phase 2: Additional funding to implemented the 2024 Adult Media Literacy survey was provided by: the Australian Media Literacy Alliance, Meta Australia andthe Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts.
Period: 2023-2024
Research Outputs
See research outputs/publications.
>>2021 Adult Media Literacy survey report
>>2024 Adult Media Literacy survey report