The master's thesis addresses the role of journalism in strengthening media literacy in Slovenia. The subject of the research is the understanding of media literacy and the perception of journalism's role in promoting it. The aim is to analyse how key stakeholders in this field in Slovenia define media literacy and what role they attribute to journalists in its development. The methodology is based on a combined qualitative approach, which includes document analysis and the implementation of semi-structured in-depth interviews with various representatives – from journalists to policymakers. The findings show that stakeholders perceive media literacy quite differently; however, they generally associate it with critical thinking and the ability to search for credible information. Meanwhile, the ability to independently create media messages is almost entirely overlooked. Projects related to media literacy are largely reduced to fact-checking, as this aspect is the most tangible and measurable. Journalists could play an important role in promoting media literacy, especially through educating the public, visiting schools, and presenting journalistic processes. They are already doing this to some extent. The thesis highlights the need for their greater engagement. It emphasizes the connection between quality journalism, democracy, and societal resilience to disinformation. Strengthening media literacy is presented as essential for the long-term survival of a democratic society and high-quality media.
|
