The Wisconsin Idea Takes Center Stage at International Media Literacy Research Symposium

A Letter from Karen Ambrosh, Managing Editor of The Journal of Media Literacy

Having Madison, Wisconsin as the backdrop for the 2022 International Media Literacy Research Symposium holds so much significance, not only for our organization’s foundation, but for the values that are the underpinning of the future of media literacy. The International Council for Media Literacy was born in the work of a small better radio listening committee in the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Association of University Women in 1935. Growing into the American Council for Better Broadcasts in 1953, and then the National Telemedia Council from 1983-2020, our founders helped to build the foundation of principles and scholarship of the field of media literacy today. 

The vision of our organization’s early work was steeped in the values of the Wisconsin Idea, which was the mission of both the state government and the university system since the late 1800’s, “bringing the boundaries of the university to the boundaries of the state.” The progressive values within the Wisconsin idea are truth, self-governance, integrity, egalitarianism, and interpersonal trust. “The transfer of knowledge and information was valuable as a tool that citizens could use to make their own decisions and govern themselves most effectively. But information alone was not enough; the Wisconsin Idea was built on the notion that broad and deep social connections make democracy stronger” (Drury). Our founders, Jessie McCanse, Leslie Spence, and then longtime Executive Director, Marieli Rowe drew upon this idea of social capital, building relationships and trust based in shared values, inspiring so many other people deeply, and thus achieving such longstanding success at working toward a media wise, literate, global society.

As I reflect upon our much longed for, first in-person conference since the pandemic, I felt the Wisconsin Idea very tangibly present as we embraced each other, supported and celebrated the work of all who participated. I see it in the research presented here in the Journal. There are shifts in the research coming out today, yet the values of truth seeking, integrity, interpersonal trust, egalitarianism, and self-governance or agency are strong.

We are all working to find the truth in a challenging and sometimes distracting mediated environment. Fernando Bonacho and her colleagues are using multidisciplinary approaches to help students find the truth through a more conscious reading of the media. Integrity and interpersonal trust come through in multiple articles. Andrea DeGette reflects on her philosophy of building community and confidence with the emphasis on production in her classroom. Baldi & Seraydarian emphasize the need for media literacy educators to include more identity and self-knowledge work with students to strengthen their trust and engagement in civic discourse. Borbála Timár’s work with at-risk students in Hungary demonstrates the power of identity and self-awareness to create good online habits. Sean Gabaree uses metacognition with his students to help them be more aware of their emotions involved when online and mindful of their decisions. Jolls and her colleagues in Peru validate the importance of educators creating active, engaged, and resilient citizens through their long term study.

The value of self-governance can be seen in many of the researchers’ focus on education practices that give students agency. Diana Maliszewski and her colleague taught their young learners about controlling choice in algorithmic thinking through designing games. Jeff Share shows how systems thinking, reframing and imagination gives students agency in taking action about the climate crisis. Shashidhar Nanjundaiah discusses how visibility and invisibility in the media requires that local and individual representation is addressed in media literacy. Participation in community media will create empowerment and agency. Jenkins and his colleagues connect a deep analysis of Super Bowl ads as a part of their civic imagination work to discuss complicated social issues of our time. Their work emphasizes that we need to work in neutral ground to rise above partisanship. Silverblatt and Corrigan also call for media literacy educators to find ways to avoid the current partisan educational environment through an emphasis on the true values and principles that are part of our foundation.

These researchers and practitioners featured here and so many more that were at the IMLRS Symposium are doing the important work of building upon these foundational values, principles, and scholarship. They honor the work of the giants whose shoulders we stand upon, allowing us to see further into the future that knows no bounds. We go into that future with confidence in our ever growing community of positive, innovative, and forward thinking scholars. IC4ML is honored to be able to share this collection of work in The Journal of Media Literacy.

Note: Read more about the Wisconsin Idea in Gwen Drury’s essay, “The Wisconsin Idea: The Vision that Made Wisconsin Famous”