As part of various notices from  the European Union and Union Institutions and Bodies, published on the 6th June 2008,  the European Council published its conclusions on a European approach to media literacy in the digital environment.  Considering that the new Audiovisual Media Services Directive calls for the development of media literacy in all sections of society the European Parliament has asked the Council and the Commission to develop and to implement media literacy programmes to promote active and aware citizenship in Europe.

Considering that knowledge, skills and attitudes related to digital competence are essential atributes to the European Parliament's and European Council's Lifelong Learning Programme (2007 - 2013), the Commisson has welcomed ‘A European approach to media literacy in the digital environment’ as a further building block to European audiovisual policy.

The Council recognised the importance of media literacy and its role to promote citizens' active participation in the economic, cultural and democratic life of society. Also that media literacy, particularly the capacity to critically evaluate content, largely conditions users' confidence in digital technologies and media, and therefore the take-up of ICT and media, which are defined as a priority in the ‘i2010’ strategic policy framework.

Crucial importance of media literacy has also been highlighted by Unesco, for instance in:

• The ‘Grünwald Declaration on Media Education’ (1982)
• The Paris Agenda — twelve recommendations for media education (2007)
• The Council of Europe in its ‘Recommendation of the Committee of Ministers to member states on empowering children in the new information and communications environment (2006).

Thus the Council has thoroughly encouraged member states to underline the importance of education and training in the development of greater media literacy and the consequent need to improve teacher training and raise awareness among educators at all levels of education and training. It also emphasised the use the Contact Committee, established under the Audiovisual Media Services Directive, in an appropriate composition, as a forum for the exchange of information and best practices on media literacy and the provision of input to the development of the policy agenda in this area. Experts from the private sector and other stakeholders should be invited to contribute to this work.

New "Audiovisual without Frontiers" Directive

The Commission unveiled on 9th March a consolidated text of the modernised "Television without Frontiers" Directive. After a first reading in the European Parliament and the Council, there is now broad agreement with the Commission about the future legal framework for Europe's audiovisual sector. The new rules, which have been called for especially by the European Parliament, are a response to technological developments and create a new level-playing field in Europe for emerging audiovisual media services (video on demand, mobile TV, audiovisual services on digital TV).