Media literacy as civics education in the age of globalization: toward a model for critical global media literacy

Global democracy is increasingly being influenced by the global networks of communication and media. Thus, our students cannot be fully literate without a deep understanding of the nature, mechanism, and consequences of the global media. It is within this context that this paper aims to position critical global media literacy as an indispensable component of civics education in the 21st century. In so doing, the paper first lays out the theoretical background informed by both critical pedagogical theory and critical globalization theories. It proceeds then to build a model for critical global media literacy comprising four analytically distinct yet inherently interrelated levels of inquiry: 1. the political economy of global media; 2. the international flow of news and culture; 3. media representation of international events; and 4. global media policy and regulation. Finally, the paper concludes by briefly discussing the current status and prospects of global media literacy education in the U.S. higher education. Also, it provides a list of media resources that may be useful for concerned educators.