The Journalism Education Association’s board of directors voted 7-0 to join the National Media Literacy Education Alliance. To form the Alliance, a network of educational associations gathered for a discussion during a virtual meeting in March. The National Association for Media Literacy Education (NAMLE), which has been a participant in several JEA programs, organized the gathering and invited specific associations to join as founding members.

The Alliance seeks to promote media literacy education as a key component for all students. Misinformation is commonplace in the daily lives of American citizens. Educating every student to navigate the modern media landscape is critical to a strong 21st century education. 

Organizations attending the initial meeting along with JEA were:

By joining the Alliance, each member pledges support for media literacy education in the form of providing educational opportunities at conventions, offering curriculum support for association members, and including media literacy in instructional standards. 

“The Alliance is another great step in efforts to make media literacy a priority, particularly in a time of disruption to our educational system,” JEA President Sarah Nichols, MJE, said. “JEA has much to contribute to the national dialogue and the Alliance’s collective power while benefiting our members through new connections to materials and resources.”

JEA Executive Director Kelly Glasscock, CJE, attended an online gathering of prospective Alliance members March 24, 2020. 

“Every association leader came to the meeting with a similar mindset, that it’s time to unify efforts to both promote the importance of media literacy education, but to also deliver the resources needed for teachers and their students,” Glasscock said. 

Twitter provided initial funding for the Alliance.

Founded in 1924, the Journalism Education Association supports free and responsible scholastic journalism by providing resources and educational opportunities, by promoting professionalism, by encouraging and rewarding student excellence and teacher achievement, and by fostering an atmosphere which encompasses diversity yet builds unity. It is headquartered at Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas. For further information about JEA, please visit www.jea.org.