Derby College Group hosts successful Media Literacy Symposium with the Guardian Foundation

Derby College Group (DCG), in collaboration with The Guardian Foundation, played host to an engaging and thought-provoking Media Literacy Symposium last week at the University of Derby’s Britannia Mill campus in Derby.

The event brought together educators, students, and media professionals to explore the essential role of media literacy in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.

The symposium highlighted the pioneering work being done by Derby College’s GCSE Plus team, alongside the Guardian Foundation’s Media Literacy Ambassador Programme, which empowers young people to critically engage with news and information. The event also marked a significant milestone for Derby College Group, which was the first further education college to participate in the Guardian Foundation’s Media Literacy Programme, beginning in 2023.

Debbie Painter, Curriculum Manager for GCSE Plus at DCG, led the event and sits upon the programme’s advisory panel, which helped shape and iterate the project. She expressed her enthusiasm for the event and the partnership with The Guardian Foundation: “It has been so rewarding working with both current and former students to develop this event. I am passionate about helping our students succeed, and The Guardian Foundation has been an invaluable partner in making this happen. The programme has been transformational for our students. The Guardian Foundation shares our commitment to equipping the next generation with the skills they need to navigate today’s complex media environment.”

Debbie is also part of the News Futures 2035 project. This is a forum that brings together academics, journalists, regulators, educators and other parties who have an interest in news literacy. The group has produced a policy brief, which has been sent to the House of Lords, emphasising the importance of media and news literacy. The group’s mission is “We believe that every child in every school and every college should be taught media and news literacy”

The symposium focused on a critical issue: as young people increasingly engage with digital content, they must be equipped with the tools to identify credible news, combat misinformation, and understand the nuances of emerging technologies like AI and deepfakes. The event was a platform for sharing insights into how educators and policymakers can better integrate media literacy into school curricula to prepare students for the challenges of modern media consumption.

The Guardian Foundation, an award-winning charity, plays a vital role in building news and media literacy skills among young people. The organisation has worked with thousands of students in classrooms and community settings over the past two decades, with programmes like NewsWise, which helps children aged 7-11 understand and critically engage with the news, and Behind the Headlines, which equips secondary and higher education students with the knowledge and skills to analyse media and develop resilience against fake news.

The programme at DCG boasts over a hundred accredited ambassadors, and workshops have been delivered to almost 700 students.

Esmat Jeraj, Director of Programmes at The Guardian Foundation, remarked on the success of the event: "It’s been fantastic to see the direct impact of our Media Literacy Ambassador Programme, especially here at Derby College. The students are not only learning essential skills but also leading the way in educating their peers about the importance of verifying news and information. Their involvement in shaping and delivering the programme has been invaluable."

The event featured a dynamic panel discussion chaired by Christy Edakkuttathil, with contributions from Professor John Steel, Research Professor in Journalism at the University of Derby; Rebecca Kesby, journalist and live news presenter; Simon Hare, journalist and media trainer; and Catherine Atkinson, Labour MP for Derby North. The panel fielded questions around the complexity of identifying fake news, the importance of maintaining high standards in journalism, and the role of AI in shaping media narratives.

Professor Steel cited the Impress Report in response to the question. He said: “It is important that the public understand news processes and the role regulatory bodies play. The research showed there is a lack of public understanding relating to how the news is produced (53% said they did not understand it). Ofcom’s Mis and Disinformation report found that the more edited a news story was, the less the public trusted it.”

Rebecca Kesby added to the discussion: “The increasing challenges posed by misinformation and technological advances such as deepfakes make it crucial for media consumers to be equipped with the tools to navigate the media landscape effectively.”

The panel was actively engaged in the broad discussions, with Simon Hare commenting: “Journalists need to be held accountable, especially in an age where misinformation spreads so rapidly. Maintaining the integrity of news is essential for a functioning democracy and society at large.”

Catherine Atkinson MP added, “It is clear from the Derby College students I met that the important work being done by Derby College and The Guardian Foundation is strengthening our young people’s critical thinking skills and empowering them in an increasingly digital world. I was highly impressed by the students' insightful awareness of how to engage with digital media responsibly”

The event was not only informative but also interactive, with Media Literacy Ambassadors leading a session to challenge participants’ perceptions of news authenticity. Bhyrel John Balatbat, 20, who participated in the programme, said, “Being involved with the media literacy programme helped me build confidence, and it’s made me think critically about everything I read online. Now, with my increased confidence, I’m looking to progress to become a pilot.” His fellow ambassador, Jenna Clark, added, “The programme helped me communicate better with my peers and gave me a lot of hands-on skills that I can use in the future.”

Derby College Group’s senior team, including Mandie Stravino OBE, CEO; Kate Martin, Director of External Engagement; Matt Ridgill, Assistant Principal; Melanie Lanser, Vice Principal, and Aaron Deaton, Vice Principal were also present at the event, reinforcing the importance of supporting initiatives that empower students and foster critical thinking skills.

The symposium attracted a full room, reflecting the growing importance of media literacy in today’s educational landscape. It was an inspiring occasion that underscored the vital role of collaboration between educational institutions and organisations like The Guardian Foundation in shaping a generation of young people who are not only informed but also resilient in the face of misinformation.

Derby College Group would like to thank both The Guardian Foundation and the University of Derby for all their support in making this outstanding event possible.

For more information on The Guardian Foundation and its programmes, visit www.theguardianfoundation.org.

For details about Derby College Group and its initiatives, visit www.derby-college.ac.uk.