On behalf of the Executive Board at the International Council for Media Literacy, we extend our deepest gratitude and recognition to Bob McChesney for his profound contributions to the media literacy community. His unwavering commitment to truly democratizing media comes through his incredible body of work, his support of the Media Education Foundation, and his co-founding of Free Press which was created to give people a voice in the crucial decisions that shape our media.
Bob’s tenure at the University of Wisconsin-Madison from 1988 to 1998 was marked by his dedication to teaching and mentorship. His ability to engage and challenge students earned him the distinction of being named one of the top 100 classroom teachers on the Madison campus—a testament to his passion for education and his belief in the transformative power of media literacy. Through his scholarship and pedagogy, Bob equipped generations of students with the critical tools necessary to navigate and interrogate the ever-evolving media landscape.
Bob’s groundbreaking research and thought leadership have played a pivotal role in advancing the discourse on media, democracy, and the public sphere. In recognition of his outstanding contributions, he was honored with the “Communication Research as an Agent of Change” lifetime achievement award by the International Communication Association in 2011. The following year, he received the prestigious C. Edwin Baker Award for the Advancement of Scholarship on Media, Markets, and Democracy, further cementing his legacy as a leading voice in media studies.
Bob McChesney’s work has been instrumental in shaping the global conversation around the role media plays in democracies worldwide. He fought to uncover and change the way media platforms are structured and controlled, in order to empower citizens direct access to the true issues affecting their society. His scholarship continues to serve as a beacon for those striving to foster a more informed and engaged citizenry.
The International Council for Media Literacy is honored to celebrate Bob McChesney’s remarkable contributions, including articles he wrote for our Journal of Media Literacy and his participation in many conferences while he was at the University of Wisconsin. We express our deepest appreciation for his lifelong dedication to media education and advocacy, and we are grateful for the indelible mark he has left on the field. His legacy will continue to inspire and guide the media literacy community for generations to come.
–Executive Director Karen Ambrosh and President Belinha De Abreu
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