MEDIA EDUCATION AND MEDIA LITERACY: BETWEEN LAW, ETHICS, AND CRITICAL THINKING

In the digital age, media play a central role in shaping public opinion and social behavior, while simultaneously increasing the risks of manipulation and disinformation. This study examines media education and media literacy as an integrative framework linking law, ethics, and critical thinking. Drawing on Len Masterman’s concept of critical autonomy and UNESCO’s media and information literacy initiatives, the article highlights the importance of legal awareness and ethical responsibility in contemporary media environments. It argues that media education is essential for fostering informed, responsible, and critically thinking citizens capable of navigating complex information landscapes