Last week, the Jefferson County Republican Party posted to its Facebook page about Colorado’s new media literacy law, claiming it will “control our children, their beliefs, and what they post on social media.”
This claim could not be further from the truth.
In fact, the new media literacy law creates a committee to analyze and present a report based on the research of a Department of Education-appointed consultant.
Members of this new committee, tasked with presenting a report and recommendations for education committees in the Colorado House of Representatives and the Senate, will be appointed by the Commissioner of Education.
The research and analysis presented by the consultant will inform the committee’s report regarding recommendations to education committee officials in both the state house the senate.
From there, the house and senate education committees will determine the best course of action for implementing a media literacy program.
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“Media literacy” is defined by the National Association for Media Literacy Education as, “the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, create, and act using all forms of communication.”
The new law is a way to research and create a foundation for an effective and efficient media literacy program in primary and secondary education. It is in no way an attempt by the government to “control our children and their beliefs.”
Colorado Times Recorder reached out to Jefferson County Republican Party Chair, Denise Mund, in regards to this claim not being based in fact and she declined to comment.
“This is blatant government overreach, it goes against our parental rights, and is an attack on our children’s first amendment right,” the post stated. “This law will only allow more children to be corrupted by the Democrat left.”
