Maryland Public Television (MPT) opened its new Maryland Center for Media Literacy & Education in late 2024, a major expansion of the existing MPT education division. Nine educators will initially lead the programming that is aimed at “addressing the challenges and impacts of today’s media-saturated society and [supporting] the well-being of Maryland Citizens,” according to a news release from MPT prior to the center’s launch.
The center’s mission will be to educate Marylanders of all ages on how to digest knowledge in the information age. The initiative comes at a crucial time. According to MPT, nearly half of teens ages 13 to 17 say they are online “almost constantly.” The network also reports that 55% of students are not confident in their ability to discern misinformation online, and that 94% of teens want their schools to teach media literacy.
“If you’re on social media more than three hours a day, that’s specifically correlated with higher rates of anxiety and depression. We’re seeing unprecedented mental health issues and problems from too much social media,” says Sheppard Pratt President and CEO Dr. Harsh K. Trivedi, who was a guest at the unveiling event.
“It’s really about making information accessible—like the wonderful things MPT does and this coalition can do—and coming out with tangible things that parents, kids and educators can use to help to teach skills, change behavior and impact mental health.”
The event at which the initiative was announced was held at MPT’s Irene and Edward H. Kaplan Production Studio. The one-hour program taught guests about social media use and media literacy. The information is designed to be relevant to a wide age range of people.
In addition to Trivedi, the event featured guest appearances by Maryland First Lady Dawn Moore, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioner Anna M. Gomez, media literacy influencer Kelsey Russell and Frank Sesno, a former anchor and current director of strategic initiatives (both at CNN) and a professor at George Washington University.
“What Maryland Public Television is doing today to promote media literacy is important to make sure people can discern what is true and what is misinformation, disinformation or mal-information,” Gomez says. “Remember, this is both a mental health issue and a public
safety issue.”
To that end, staff at the center will begin work immediately. They have resources that are designed for children, tweens, teens and adults and seniors. MPT also has what it dubs early learning media ambassadors, from a program that teaches adults who work with young children about best practices related to media and social media.
The center will also use Maryland State Department of Education -approved media literacy courses for these same professionals who work with children.
“Over more than five decades, MPT’s education team has been a trusted partner in learning and [convening] in Maryland, which is why we’re well-positioned to spearhead this effort. We recognize media’s power to influence our perceptions, beliefs and actions, and it’s more important than ever that everyone—from our youngest learners to our seniors—is equipped with healthy media habits,” says Betsy Peisach, vice president of Maryland Center for Media Literacy & Education, in the news release. “We’re committing the resources, expertise and leadership over the long term to advance media literacy.”
The Maryland Center for Media Literacy & Education will be largely funded by the Sherman Family Foundation.
Moore says that she sees a bright future for this initiative, especially considering the reputation that Maryland Public Television has built in the state since it was founded in 1969.
“For the past 55 years, MPT has helped build strong citizens from childhood to adulthood, and the Maryland Center for Media Literacy & Education will build on that legacy. I’m proud this new [center] will be a guiding light for our kids and adults,” she says. “As first lady, the well-being of our children is one of my top priorities—and that’s why I will continue to work in partnership with MPT to uplift the future generations of Marylanders.”
Learn more about the center via [email protected] or 410-581-4031.
