Shop safe online this Christmas

As part of Get Safe Online week, Ofcom has today published a video setting out steps consumers can take and things they should look out for when shopping online this Christmas.

If you know of other similar resources please feel free to share.

Ofcom’s Media Literacy e-bulletin – September

The September edition of Ofcom’s e-bulletin has just been published.
Selected features:

NIACE’s analysis of the Digital Britain Report
Futurelab call for ideas (for new ways of learning)
Media Literacy teacher training resources from the Media Education Association
Young people want advice about online privacy
Northern Ireland – WIMPS mobile launched (Where is My Public Servant)
European Media Literacy Conference – 21 [...]

Ofcom Poll: What do you think of blogs?

Ofcom are currently running a poll to capture your view on blogging. (What is blogging?)
The Poll Question: What do you think of blogs? Are they:

The way forward for journalism
Hit and miss – some are great, some less so
Self-opinionated, amateurish twaddle

To vote, you can find the poll on the lower right hand column of the Ofcom home [...]

Ofcom – Annual Communications Market Review 2008

Ofcom’s fourth annual review on Northern Ireland’s communications market was released last week.
Introduction: Communications Market Report: Northern Ireland
Report: The Communications Market 2009: Nations & Regions – Northern Ireland (pdf)
Here are some highlights from the report:
“A third of households in Northern Ireland have watched TV or video online…”
This includes catchup TV services such as BBC iPlayer [...]

Technology – a spending priority

According to Ofcom’s Communications Market Report 2009 we value technology above that of holidays and meals out and have adjusted our spending to reflect this in the current economic climate.
When consumers were asked where they would cut back on spending:

47% said meals out
41% said DIY
41% said holidays
Only 10% would cut back on broadband services

Peter Phillips [...]

Media Literacy for the 21st Century

Ofcom and University of Ulster conference on Media Literacy

Ofcom – Media Literacy e-bulletin 16

Ofcom had a packed e-bulletin in December.
Here are a few highlights:

Ofcom have published a review of their media literacy work between 2004-2008, outlining their success in working with stakeholders to promote media literacy.
Us Now – A film project about the power of mass collaboration, government and the internet
NIACE’S 2008 Media Literacy Survey (covered in a [...]

Short film on embracing Media Literacy

NIACE has created a short film featuring people who have become more media literate through a hands on approach.
Media Literacy Film

NIACE – Media Literacy Survey 2008

The annual Media Literacy Survey from NIACE has revealed there is still some way to go to address the digital divide.
“Over one-third (36%) of adults do not have access to a computer and over two-fifths (42%) lack access to the Internet.”
NIACE Press Release
However, for those who are on the internet there has been a significant [...]

Opening Access to Adults Conference

Ofcom and NIACE will hold a media literacy conference entitled ‘Opening Access to Adults‘ at the Thistle Marble Arch hotel on Monday 17 November 2008.
The main objectives are to:

develop an understanding of media literacy and its relevance in modern adult learning
explore the relationship between media literacy and citizenship in the 21st century
share examples of good [...]