Our History
Recent Projects
In recent years, IC4ML has focused on continuing to develop the Journal of Media Literacy, which transitioned to a solely online platform in 2019. In 2021, we began a robust collection of blogs from our network members, as well as hosting spring and fall network gatherings. Moving forward, one of our aims is to create a vibrant youth network.
The archives of NTC reach back to the days of Edward R. Murrow and Eric Sevareid, when the world was engulfed in World War II. These memorable journalists were highlighted in monthly listings of “Some Good Listening,” published by what was then known as the Wisconsin Joint Committee for Better Radio Listening. In 1951, television was added and in 1953, the newly born “American Council for Better Broadcasts” set out to coordinate and provide leadership, inspired by the idea of a “Better World through Better Broadcasts,” to work “Toward a Media Wise Society.” What had begun in 1935 as a small study group of the Madison, Wisconsin chapter of the American Association of University Women, became the “American Council for Better Broadcasts” on June 24th, 1953. To keep up with the evolution of technology, ACBB changed its name to the “National Telemedia Council” in 1983. In 2021, we evolved into the “International Council for Media Literacy.
Since 1953, our organization has accumulated a large collection of projects, conferences, publications, awards, and innovative ideas through the generous efforts of a diverse collaboration of individuals and organizations across the globe.
IC4ML is engaged in the on-going project of documenting and making available all of these historic resources.
Learn more about our past conferences, which helped build state and national partnerships throughout the years.
Early Partners
Our organization has always called itself a “council” because we believe in the collaboration of diverse individuals and groups and see them as a circle of friends, coming from different directions, but working toward a common goal. Among the pioneers were teachers, parents, civic and religious groups, academics, policy-makers, legislators, arts and media professionals from across the nation. Today, our circle reaches around the globe. The work of our organization belongs to its contributors and we share it with everyone. IC4ML’s work is a collection of visionaries. We want to highlight the contributions of people in our early decades who influenced us.
Dr. Edgar Dale
Professor at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio
He articulated ways to do qualitative evaluation that were translated into what became our Look-Listen Project. He defined critical listening and thinking skills:
“We must bring our intelligence to bear upon the kinds of choices we are making, be critical-minded, not sponge-minded…. We have found that to the primary enjoyment of a film or television program, thoughtful viewing adds a secondary enjoyment, an enjoyment in depth.” -1956
Abbott Washburn
FCC Commissioner from 1974 to 1982
Commissioner Washburn provided key initiatives within the commission in encouraging the teaching of critical television viewing skills through an FCC inquiry into children’s television programming.
“If we can make young Americans media wise, we will be helping them enormously to cope with the future… Achieving that goal will require the cooperation of parents, children, teachers, and broadcasters… As a society we are beginning to learn how to make the most of television… TV literacy is the road to TV excellence. The solution is long-range. It will take years to develop a literate, critical, demanding audience. But the process, happily, has begun.” -1979
