Regulation and Media Literacy...on Sesame Street?

Sesame Street was recently rocked by scandal...in the form of Katy Perry. Katy Perry filmed a version of her "Hot and Cold" song with Elmo that had different lyrics meant for children. The video was fun and colorful, so whats the problem? The problem was Katy Perry showing too much cleavage. When a preview of the episode was posted, parents started complaining that Katy's outfit was not appropriate for children. This is an excellent example of societal regulation in action. Shortly after the complaints started, Sesame Street pulled the episode in respect to the parents. Regardless of my opinion on the matter, this was almost immediate censorship in response to the backlash. All in the name of protecting children.

This brings me to Media Literacy and Communication Rights: Ethical Individualism in the New Media Environment. In this article, O'Neill examines the term "Media Literacy," its opposing definitions, and why it becoming increasingly an area of importance. O'Neill states that the most common definition of Media Literacy is "the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, and produce both print and electronic media." He describes how intergovernmental organization like UNESCO and the Council of Europe have taken the initiative to bring attention to this issue. A 2006 recommendation from the Council of Europe mandates that member states ensure children are skilled and knowledgeable in communication technology that may be harmful to them.

Now what exactly, is the United States doing to promote media literate children? Well, O'Neill argues that the reason the United States may be behind Europe is that the US fails to recognize media literacy as a right of children. I think this is true. While Americans may be concerned with violent and sexual content reaching their children, this is more of a regulatory approach rather than a proactive approach to educating the children on harmful content. While regulation is certainly important for children, so is their ability to know for themselves what is good and bad.

I think the idea of "Ethical Individualism" applies to the United States as well. In the United States, we often try children as adults in a court of law. Why? Because we feel that they were old enough to have develop their own values and know right from wrong. Emphasis on the individual is key. However I think we must realize that any citizen, let along a child, can't be expected to know good from bad in a communication sense. I think as a country we have a responsibility to equip our children with an arsenal of media literate knowledge that will enable them to be educated future consumers and makers of media.