How to promote Media Literacy: Statement on recommendations for online platforms, broadcasters and services

Statement published 24 June 2026

We have published a series of recommendations on how broadcasters, online platforms and streamers should promote media literacy.  

We have a statutory duty to promote media literacy and our three-year strategy outlines our plans and approach in carrying out this work. As part of these duties, we are required to publish a statement recommending ways in which services might develop, pursue and evaluate activities or initiatives relevant to media literacy. 

Taking account of feedback to our consultation, our final 10 recommendations set out a clear and  ambitious vision for how a broad range of services can empower the public to navigate and thrive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. They have been designed with users in mind, and so that these services can trial their approach and collaborate with Ofcom on what’s working. 

Our recommendations are designed to achieve four broad aims: 

• Services are designed to give people meaningful choice in how they engage with content (Recommendations 1 and 2). That means making inclusive design and policy choices right from the start and providing transparent information – including explaining how recommender systems operate - at key points in the user journey. 
• People are empowered to actively manage and control their own experience (Recommendations 3 to 6). Services should equip people with practical tools to manage and personalise their online experiences and empower them with the skills to critically assess the credibility of the content they encounter. Services should also support parents and caregivers to guide younger users in an age-appropriate way and engage third parties to extend the reach and impact of their media literacy initiatives. 
• Services contribute to the broader media literacy landscape through partnerships and outreach to build trust (Recommendations 7 to 9). Services should create and  promote relevant programming or educational initiatives to support critical engagement with content. We expect platforms to commit to long-term, sustainable investment in media literacy campaigns, content and partnerships, including those which target underserved and diverse audiences. 
• Driving continuous improvement through ongoing evaluation of what works (Recommendation 10). Services should regularly assess the impact of their design choices and media literacy activities and publish their findings, as well as an annual statement.  

We will review and revise the recommendations in 2029. In advance of that, we will report on how online services and broadcasters have adopted the recommendations.