28.05.2026
New policy guidelines on media literacy and media education published
The Ministry of Education and Culture and the Finnish Arts and Culture Agency have published updated national policy guidelines on media literacy and media education. The reform responds to a rapidly changing media environment in which artificial intelligence, algorithms, and information influence in particular are challenging the way citizens process information.
The guidelines establish a shared direction for developing media education in Finland and emphasize media literacy as a key civic skill that supports democracy, security, and society’s crisis resilience.
“Media literacy is a key civic skill that we need in our everyday lives and through which we promote democracy. At the same time, broader security thinking and societal resilience have taken on an increasingly important role, and we strengthen these by safeguarding critical media literacy. To promote media literacy, we need shared guidelines based on research-based knowledge, up-to-date research, and practical application,” says Minister of Science and Culture Mari-Leena Talvitie.
Media literacy belongs to everyone
The vision of the national policy guidelines on media literacy and media education is that media education strengthens the critical media literacy, education, well-being, and participation in society of everyone living in Finland. The goal is media education that is equitable, high-quality, up to date, and sustainable.
At the same time, media education is seen as a key part of comprehensive security, the strengthening of democracy, and the building of trust and hope in society. In this way, media education promotes a good life.
The guidelines define three main objectives: strengthening agency, developing competence, and promoting sustainability. To achieve these, 21 measures are proposed, based on expert hearings, statements, and information on the current state of media education.
The guidelines apply to all age groups and population groups, and they support the planning and implementation of media education throughout society. They are particularly intended for experts and organizations working in the field of media literacy and media education. Their implementation requires broad cooperation between the public, private, and third sectors.
The implementation of the guidelines will be carried out through cooperation between the public, private, and third sectors. The Finnish Arts and Culture Agency will prepare a more detailed implementation plan in 2026. A wide range of actors from across sectoral boundaries will be invited to take part in the implementation.