Understanding media

Many of our everyday transactions happen online, like shopping or banking, and the world is a lot smaller now that we can connect with others via social media or gaming. The internet has given us a world of opportunities and choices, as well as a wealth of information.

However, sometimes these new interactions create problems. With an array of information at our fingertips, it can be harder to know what to trust or who the expert is on various topics. Misinformation, disinformation and the rise in artificial intelligence (AI) can make it difficult to trust what we see and hear in the media. Democracies, elections and fundamental rights can be under attack when those sharing disinformation spread lies or uncertainty around a certain candidate, party, or event.  

Media literacy aims to empower people with the skills and knowledge to make informed choices about the media content and services that they consume, create and disseminate. As a media regulator, Coimisiún na Meán has a statutory role in undertaking, encouraging and fostering research and activities to promote media literacy. Through our facilitation of Media Literacy Ireland we promote initiatives, campaigns, training and knowledge sharing about media literacy.

What is media literacy?

Media literacy includes a range of skills and competencies that people can develop to understand how media works in this changing environment. In our policy on Media Literacy we don’t give a definition of media literacy, but our overarching goal is to empower Irish people with the skills and knowledge to make informed choices about the media content and services that they consume, create and disseminate. Media literacy is important for everyone, and in our changing media landscape the development of media literacy skills is a life-long endeavour.  

What does Coimisiún na Meán do in relation to media literacy? 

Coimisiún na Meán has a statutory obligation to undertake, encourage and foster research and activities to promote media literacy. As such, there is a unit in our organisation called Media Literacy and User Education which aims to provide leadership and facilitate a coordinated approach to the promotion of media literacy in Ireland. We develop campaigns such as the Spot it Flag it Stop it campaign, as well as being involved in the evaluation of media literacy initiatives under the Online Safety Framework. Since the publication of the Media Literacy Policy in 2016, Coimisiún na Meán (formerly Broadcasting Authority of Ireland) has facilitated the multi-stakeholder network Media Literacy Ireland and has a permanent position on their Steering Committee as co-chair. We also work in this area on an international level and sit as chair on the European Platform of Regulatory Authorities (EPRA) Media and Information Literacy Taskforce as well as being involved in the EPRA steering committee.

Media literacy funding

Disinformation is a growing challenge. In 2026, we are funding media literacy activities in line with the National Counter Disinformation Strategy (NCDS) (PDF), to help address the harmful effects of disinformation.