November 6, 2017

OTTAWA – Media Literacy Week kicks off today and runs until Friday, raising awareness about the need to create inclusive digital communities.

This year’s theme of “Inclusion in a Connected World: A Place and a Voice for Everyone” promotes ways in which diverse voices, perspectives and talents can participate in and enrich our media and digital spaces. Through educational activities and awareness-raising events, the week helps young people create welcoming digital environments and engage in respectful dialogue online.

“Teaching our kids media and digital literacy skills is essential for our economy and our society,” says Cathy Wing, Co-Executive Director of MediaSmarts, Canada’s centre for digital and media literacy. “A key component of that is empowering children and teens to build kinder and more respectful online spaces and learn new ways to make their voices and stories heard.”

H. Mark Ramsankar, President of the Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF) agrees, and highlights the fact that diversity is a celebration of our Canadian identity. “As teachers, we firmly believe in helping students find their own voices, develop their critical thinking skills and become responsible citizens in a democracy. That’s what media literacy is all about.”

Media Literacy Week is an annual event co-hosted by MediaSmarts and the CTF, currently in its 12th year. Collaborating organizations across the country – which include Cyber-Seniors, the National Council of Canadian Muslims and the YWCA – participate by organizing activities and promoting media literacy. Media Literacy Week was officially adopted in the U.S. in 2015, where it is led by the National Association for Media Literacy Education.

MediaSmarts and CTF thank TELUS and Facebook for being Platinum Sponsors and Bell, YouTube and Twitter for being Gold Sponsors of Media Literacy Week 2017. Special thanks also go to the many teacher organizations who have contributed generously. For more information, visit medialiteracyweek.ca.

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Media inquiries:

MediaSmarts:

Liz Berman, Marketing and Communications Manager: lberman@mediasmarts.ca, 613-224-7721 x231

CTF:

Francine Filion, Director of Communications: ffili@ctf-fce.ca, 613-688-4314

About MediaSmarts

MediaSmarts is a Canadian not-for-profit centre for digital and media literacy. Its vision is that young people have the critical thinking skills to engage with media as active and informed digital citizens. MediaSmarts

About CTF

Founded in 1920, CTF is a national alliance of provincial and territorial Member organizations that represent over 238,000 teachers across Canada. CTF is also an affiliate of the 30-million member Education International. CanTeachersFed