A unanimous committee wants to increase young people’s media literacy

The Centre Group’s proposal to increase young people’s media literacy received unanimous support. This became clear when the Committee for Knowledge and Culture held its summer meeting in Skagen, Denmark.

The committees of the Nordic Council are currently holding their summer meetings. The Committee for Knowledge and Culture gathered in Skagen, Denmark, to make decisions on a number of proposals and at the same time carry out several study visits. At the meeting, a proposal from the Centre Group on increasing young people’s media literacy was discussed. The proposal received the support of a unanimous committee.

The background to the proposal is the first Nordic survey on media literacy (Nordic Media Literacy Survey) from 2025. It shows that one third of young adults (aged 16–44) experience difficulties keeping up with the news, and a quarter of children and young people (aged 9–15) avoid news altogether.

– The ability to absorb and understand news is absolutely crucial for engaging with important societal issues and participating in a democratic society. We must do something. And I am pleased that our proposal received such broad support, says Ulrika Liljeberg from Sweden.

The Centre Group proposes, among other things, a Nordic strategy for media literacy with a particular focus on children and young people. It also wants to see teaching about the role of media in schools. Continuing to measure media literacy among young people is also considered important. Sandra Sigurðardóttir from Iceland also represented the Centre Group at the meeting:

– Children and young people need to be given the tools to critically assess different sources of information and to understand the importance of journalism. If we fail to do this, there is a risk that polarization in society will increase. It is also important that we in the Nordic region develop guidelines on how to manage the rapid development of AI.

The decision means that the proposal will now be submitted to the entire Nordic Council as a proposal for decision at an upcoming meeting. If it also receives support there, it will become a recommendation to the Nordic Council of Ministers.

Photo: Sandra Sigurðardóttir and Ulrika Liljeberg.