The ability to disseminate truth from lies and identify sources of news and information that can be trusted from those that can’t is one of the most important skills the public of any democracy can have.

Yet it is a skill that has been undervalued. While our lives became increasingly entwined with technology, and advances continued to make it all the more difficult to discern what is real from what is fake, there has been a worrying inaction to equip the public with the tools they needed to navigate this new reality.

Finally, some steps have been taken.

In her recent curriculum review, Secretary of State for Education Bridget Phillipson MP has confirmed that media literacy studies will be introduced for children in primary education, which will include the spotting of fake news.

It is undoubtedly a big step forward, but is it enough?

Impress is proud to have co-signed a joint statement from the Media and Information Literacy Alliance in response to the curriculum announcement.

Alongside fellow experts from the worlds of media and information literacy, we acknowledge that these changes are undoubtedly a step forward.

But there is still space to improve and ensure that these changes are as impactful and future-proof as possible, including a greater emphasis on Artificial Intelligence throughout the curriculum, development of skills to become media creators, updates to Ofsted inspection criterias, and increased availability for professional development of school staff in order to tailor the offering to local contexts.

The pressure to fight mis- and disinformation should not just be on those receiving misleading or deceptive content, however.

While it is important to teach the public to spot mis- and disinformation, more should be done to enable and empower publishers and journalists to pursue career development opportunities and building on past learning.

Training as a journalist should not stop when you hand in a final assignment of an undergraduate degree or receive your qualification.

The world is constantly changing and if journalists want to report with accuracy on it, they need to change as well. This includes moving with technological advances and public perceptions of ethical practice.

That is why Impress launched Creating Ethical Media and Journalism – a CPD accredited course that teaches participants how to operate in the public interest.

Built in collaboration with the University of Huddersfield, the course features more than 40 hours of content, including first-hand case studies from organisations such as the Poynter Institute, The New York Times and the BBC, as well as videos and podcasts to support and reinforce learning.

Opinion is changing on what is expected of journalists, but the ethics are universal. If you want to get a head start, speak to your editor about signing up for Creating Ethical Media and Journalism today.

About Impress 

Impress is a champion for news that can be trusted. We are here to make sure news providers can publish with integrity; and the public can engage in an ever-changing media landscape with confidence. We set the highest regulatory standards for news, offer education to help people make informed choices and provide resolution when disputes arise. 

Media enquiries

Louie Chandler: louie@impressorg.com / 02033076778