The project "Civic Skills via Media Education in Palestine" supports the building of Palestinian civil society through media education.
17.05.2016

Online Media Guide for adults spreads critical media literacy

A media guide, produced by one of EAEA’s Finnish member organisations, The Finnish Lifelong Learning Foundation, helps in the building of Palestinian civil society. The guide is a free online resource for all. Its core message: critical media literacy is a crucial civic skill of the social media age.

“When you understand how media functions – and how to use its channels yourself – you are in a better position to evaluate its content and trustworthiness. A critical reading is crucial, regardless of the source,” says Karoliina Knuuti, producer of the Media Guide.

For much of early 2016, she has been headquartered in Ramallah, the capital of the Palestinian National Authority in the West Bank. Knuuti coordinates a project, run by The Finnish Lifelong Learning Foundation – KVS and funded by the Finnish Foreign Ministry. The ultimate outcome of the project is increasing media literacy include media literacy among Palestinian adults.

The Media Guide, produced in the project, is a central tool for the media education activities of the project. The Guide was published online in the end of April in Arabic and English.

 

According to Karoliina Knuuti, critical media literacy is a basic civic skill. Photo: Anna Tervahartiala

Critical attitude as an anchor

“Media constantly tries to influence us but critical readers are unlikely to be carried along into whichever direction,” Knuuti says.

This is especially important for Palestinians who have for over six decades lived under the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Continuous media warfare is waged alongside the conflict, with both parties defamating each other.

Equally, a European, following the crisis through media, needs his or her dose of media criticism.

“The information machinery of Israel is very professional and efficient. Therefore Western media mainly relies on information produced by only one party of the conflict, Israel,” Knuuti explains.

Digital media expert Markus Viljasalo, a volunteer trainer, teaching at a workshop arranged at Birzeit University in Palestine. Photo: Karoliina Knuuti

Tools for understanding media

KVS partners with the Media Development Center of Birzeit University, near Ramallah, in the project. The staff of the Centre participated in producing the content of the Media Guide, along with Karoliina Knuuti and a group of Finnish masters’ degree students of journalism.

The online guide is available to be used freely by anyone interested in media basics, marketing and media ethics. It contains a variety of tools for media analysis and evaluation of information.

“For example, we explain why a media outlet should always rely on a clear ethical code. In Finland adherence to a national code for journalists bears fruit in the form of ranking first in the World Press Freedom Index,” Knuuti illustrates.

The participants of media literacy workshops are mainly non-governmental organisation practitioners, journalists and municipality workers.

A free resource for all

The main target group for the Media Guide are Palestinians. Pirkko Ruuskanen-Parrukoski, CEO of the KVS and EAEA’s Acting Board Member, hopes that the guide will also be used widely outside Palestine.

“In this age of social media every citizen is both a media consumer and content producer. Media education for adults must not be overlooked,” Ruuskanen-Parrukoski says.

The Media Guide

  • is an online publication on journalism, marketing and social media, compiled by communications experts
  • is available in English and in Arabic
  • is freely available online on www.mediaguide.fi; the Arabic version functions best with the browsers Firefox, Safari or Chrome
  • was produced within the Civic skills via media education in Palestine project by the KVS, funded by the Finnish Foreign Ministry.

 

Text: Markus Palmén, Terhi KouvoPhotos: Ali Batha, Anna Tervahartiala, Aura Vuorenrinne, Karoliina Knuuti

10.10.2024 projects

Adult education institutions as key vectors in promoting the green transition: SMALEI takes centre stage during the European Week of Regions and Cities

On October 10 2024, the European Association of Regional and Local Authorities for Lifelong Learning (EARLALL), the Age Platform EU, and EAEA hosted a workshop called “Empowering Societies through Education and Skills for the Twin Transition” at the European Week of Regions and Cities.

24.09.2024 digital literacy

Comprehensive changes needed in the Digital Education Action Plan

In response to European Commission's Digital Education Action Plan (DEAP) for 2021-2027, EAEA calls for significant reforms to ensure that digital initiatives effectively serve all learners.

24.07.2024 advocacy

Adult Education and Learning for all must become a top European priority in the European Education Area

Adult education and learning for all to become a top European priority for the newly elected European Parliament and the new European Commission,  EAEA said in response to the European Commission's open public consultation on the mid-term review of the European Education Area.