Rethinking Media Literacy 2025

The policy landscape serves as the overarching framework shaping the environment in which individuals, communities and corporations operate. By establishing rules, incentives and priorities, policies influence the choices available at every level of society and define the parameters within which actions are taken. Effective policy interventions address structural and systemic factors, creating conditions that support better decision-making and equitable outcomes. Policies play a critical role in shaping the broader context for combating disinformation. At the legislative level, this could involve implementing regulations that create incentives for platforms to prioritize accuracy, transparency and accountability in their content moderation and recommender systems. Policies could mandate greater oversight of algorithmic processes or require platforms to publicly report on their efforts to combat disinformation. Budgetary support is another essential aspect of policy intervention. Governments can ensure that MIL initiatives are adequately resourced, funding educational programmes, public awareness campaigns and the development of tools to improve digital literacy. These investments can also extend to underserved communities, helping to close gaps in access to reliable information and critical-thinking skills.Moreover, policy can drive progress by funding and prioritizing research into MIL best practices. This includes identifying effective interventions, understanding disinformation’s psychological and social dynamics and exploring innovative approaches to equip individuals and communities with the tools to navigate the digital information landscape. At the same time, policies can harm issues of freedom of expression and access to information. Legislative efforts in some jurisdictions – such as proposals to restrict discussion of structural social factors in education – pose a significant challenge to the open, critical inquiry that media literacy requires. These developments signal a broader trend that could constrain the scope and impact of media literacy programmes worldwide. In navigating these pressures, it becomes even more urgent to defend academic freedom, support educators and design interventions that are adaptable, transparent and rooted in democratic values. Ultimately, policy interventions must operate at a macro level, aligning stakeholders across sectors and ensuring that MIL efforts are both sustainable and scalable. By embedding MIL within the broader policy framework, governments and institutions can foster an information environment where truth and integrity are safeguarded and disinformation is systematically diminished.Technology platforms, as central nodes of the information ecosystem, hold specific responsibilities in this landscape. Platforms can develop and refine algorithmic tools to flag or limit the reach of disinformation, including features such as content warnings, reduced visibility for harmful posts and stricter content moderation policies. They could also foster partnerships with fact-checkers, prioritize credible sources in search results and increase transparency around their moderation processes. Non-platform institutions can complement these efforts by advocating for regulatory standards that encourage accountability and ensure platforms take a proactive role in combating disinformation. By aligning the efforts of platform and non-platform institutions, a comprehensive and multifaceted approach can be developed to foster resilience against disinformation. Leveraging their collective influence and resources, institutions can help build an information ecosystem where truth prevails and harmful narratives are systematically dismantled. 5.5 Policy