The Connotation and Development of Media Literacy Education in Taiwan Area

Abstract

After the lifting of the ban on newspaper, the power of media control in Taiwan area was shifted from government regulation to commercial influence. Too much commercialization system brought about some problems to the media, such as the exaggerated and provocative reports, emphasis on opposition and conflict, more social news but less serious political news, educational news and community news. In order to solve these problems mentioned above, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions and local government had made every endeavor to promote media literacy education since the 1990s. Based on the theory and experience of media literacy education in western developed countries and added the critical pedagogy perspective, the core concepts of media literacy education are put forward and explained from two dimensions in Taiwan area. From the perspective of the cognition of media, it emphasizes the critical thinking, critical reading and critical understanding in the aspect of media texts, media reproduction, audiences, media organizations and media access. From the perspective of the action, it emphasizes liberating and empowerment to shape a healthy media community and culture environment in the long run.