CTF Study Demonstrates the Need for Media Education

OTTAWA, November 19, 2003 – Media Awareness Network (MNet) applauds the Canadian Teachers’ Federation for enabling children to share their views on the media in their lives. Kids’ Take on Media – the CTF survey released today on the eve of National Child Day and World Television Day – provides an important perspective on what children value – and don’t value – about the television programming, movies and video games they use. It also reports on what features young people say make certain programming attractive to them.

“We’re delighted that the Canadian Teachers’ Federation has come out so strongly in support of media education and parental awareness,” said MNet’s Anne Taylor at the CTF news conference. “This is particularly important to us in the context of MNet’s work in developing a new media education framework that addresses young people’s need for multiple literacies in the 21st Century.”

“The kind of leadership shown by CTF in this initiative is essential, if we’re going to equip young people with the critical thinking skills they need to be well informed and engaged citizens,” Ms. Taylor explained. “It’s no longer a question of our children just being able to read and write, but of their understanding how media content and use influences their lifestyle choices, education, relationships and participation in society.”

The CTF research on traditional media, combined with MNet’s Young Canadians In A Wired World (YCWW) research begins, for the first time, to give a clear picture of how Canadian children are using media. MNet goes back into the field later this month with Phase II of its YCWW research to investigate young Canadian’s use of, and views on, Internet, wireless and other new media, as well as parental knowledge and attitudes.

For more information on CTF’s survey findings, go to: http://www.ctf-fce.ca/documents/Resources/en/MERP/kidsenglish.pdf

- 30 -

Contact:

William Allen
MNet Director, Communications
613-224-7721

Media Awareness Network (MNet) is a non-profit Canadian organization whose mission is to support and encourage media education, and its widest possible integration into Canadian schools, homes and communities. Our aim is to help people, particularly children and youth, to develop an informed and critical understanding of the nature of the media, the techniques used in creating media products, and the media’s role and influence within society.

For a 90-second tour of MNet’s award-winning site, visit: /promo/index.cfm

MNet’s work is generously supported by the following sponsors and partners:

Bell Canada • Shaw Communications Inc. • Rogers Cable Inc • AOL Canada Inc. • Microsoft Canada • CHUM Television • CTV Inc. • TELUS • Craig Media Inc. • Canadian Recording Industry Association • BCE Inc. • CanWest Global • Canadian Heritage • Health Canada • Human Resources Development Canada • Industry Canada