Guidelines for Broadcasters on Promoting User-Generated Content and Media and Information Literacy

21 September 2012

The guidelines have been published on how broadcasters around the world can encourage audiences to produce better-quality user-generated content. The new guidelines will also enable the public to become more media and information literate.

The Guidelines for Broadcasters on Promoting User-Generated Content and Media and Information Literacy were suggested and funded by UNESCO, and commissioned by the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association (CBA). They provide guidance on how to encourage a greater diversity of material from a wider range of voices - material that serves both the public duty and commercial needs of broadcasters, as well as democratic needs of the audience. Written by Martin Scott, lecturer in media and development at the University of East Anglia, the report follows research published last year by UNESCO and CBA, which found a lack of initiatives by broadcasters to promote user-generated content (UGC), and media and information literacy.

The new guidelines address potential risks and concerns about the commercial and practical implications of using audience-generated material. “These guidelines come at a time when the production and availability of UGC continues to grow, and there is increasing recognition that, in order to take part in modern information societies, people across the world need to be media and information literate,” explained Mr Scott, of the School of International Development. “By providing not only space for the public to express themselves, but also the skills and capacity to take part in public debate, broadcasters can ensure that citizens’ right to freedom of expression is realised, as well as engage with communities they might not otherwise reach.”

While the guidelines are written primarily for broadcasters, it is hoped that they will also be of use to the wider media industry and regulators, as well as to media education organizations.

Bibliographic reference
Collation: 58 p.
Author(s): Scott, Martin
Publication year: 2009
ISBN: 978-0-9561429-3-1