Aug 30, 2025
I’ve been seeing the phrase media literacy thrown around a lot lately (often in fandom debates) and I think we should talk about what it actually means.
Media literacy is about critically analyzing media systems, like recognizing bias, understanding advertising strategies, or spotting misinformation online.
It’s not a synonym for “you misread this fictional character” or “my interpretation is correct.” That’s narrative analysis, and fiction invites multiple interpretations.
You can have a valid and thoughtful take on a story without accusing others of lacking media literacy just because they disagree.
Let's stop using a term rooted in education and digital safety to win fandom debates.