European Parliament adopted resolution on media literacy

On 7 July, the European Parliament adopted an own initiative resolution entitled “A new strategy for media literacy and digital learning”, containing some key recommendations for future media literacy policy priorities of the EU and Member States. The report was coordinated by MEP Marcos Ros Sempere.

The resolution “welcomes the work of the Media Literacy Expert Group and the European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO), and their important role in bringing together policymakers, researchers and practitioners to build a multidisciplinary community of experts, share best practices and enhance awareness; calls for strengthening their activities on media literacy to support cooperation among Member States” (§11).

The key policy and regulatory interventions the resolutions outline are:

•     Call on the European Commission to evaluate the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD) and expand content rules to cover new digital actors like influencers.
•     Mandate that Very Large Online Platforms implement systemic mitigation measures under the Digital Services Act (DSA) to protect minors and increase transparency regarding algorithmic impacts.
•     Push for clear labeling of AI-generated or manipulated content and integrate AI literacy into digital education.
•     Request a coordinated EU framework to address age verification, parental controls, and safe access to online platforms.

Through the resolution the European parliament also urges Member States to (i) incorporate media literacy into formal education while strictly evaluating the pedagogical impact of digital devices on cognitive development, (ii) ensure long-term funding and continuous training for educators in digital pedagogy, (iii) leverage public libraries, civil society organizations, and local initiatives as inclusive, accessible hubs for digital learning and outreach to disadvantaged groups, (iv) strengthen and sustainably fund traditional, public service, and independent media to ensure a pluralistic information ecosystem.

The text explicitly details several key European instruments, legislative regulations, and strategic initiatives.

European legal regulations (acts & directives)

•     Digital Services Act (DSA - Regulation 2022/2065): Cited repeatedly regarding obligations for large online platforms to mitigate systemic risks and ensure the online privacy, safety, and security of minors
•     European Media Freedom Act (EMFA - Regulation 2024/1083): Establishes the core definition of media literacy and mandates the newly formed European Board for Media Services to use structured dialogue to monitor digital platforms
•     Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act - Regulation 2024/1689): Referenced concerning rules for harmonized AI and addressing the vulnerabilities citizens face regarding AI-generated content and chatbots
•     Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD - Directive 2010/13/EU): Outlines specific legal obligations for Member States and video-sharing platforms to enforce media literacy measures

European initiatives & funding programs

•     The European Democracy Shield: A joint cross-border initiative explicitly aimed at safeguarding democratic processes and reinforcing resilience against hybrid attacks and foreign information manipulation
•     AgoraEU Programme: Named as the future long-term funding framework (spanning the 2028–2034 budget cycle) to provide stable funding for media resilience, pluralism, and independent journalism
•     European Media Literacy Week: Highlighted as an annual flagship event designed to showcase best practices and encourage capacity building among stakeholders
•     Safer Internet Centres & Better Internet for Kids (BIK+) Platform: Recognized for their vital role in peer-to-peer education, delivering online safety messages, and providing continuous training for educators
•     Strategy on Intergenerational Fairness: Explicitly connected to promoting lifelong learning and digital literacy across all age groups to secure democratic resilience

The resolution is available in all EU languages on the European Parliament website.

Image: European Union 2017 - European Parliament (free to use under Creative Commons licenses and must be credited: © European Union 2017 - European Parliament)