Latvia’s media literacy improves, but critical thinking still lags

Media literacy in Latvia has improved but remains at a moderate level, according to a new study by the National Electronic Mass Media Council (NEPLP), reported by LSM.

Residents scored 5.9 out of 10 overall. Their strongest area was using technology, with a score of 7, while critical thinking and evaluating information scored 6.3. NEPLP chair Aurelia Ieva Druviete said the results had risen from a moderate level last year to a moderately satisfactory one.

The study assessed four areas: technological skills, including accessing information safely; the ability to analyse content and understand the media environment; use of artificial intelligence; and the creation of content. Digital skills improved over the past year, particularly among older people, Druviete said, but progress in analysing content remained insufficient.

Internet use has reached 98% of Latvia’s population, and almost all internet users use social media. However, residents scored just 3.3 out of 10 for their ability to create content. Around 40% create some kind of content on social media, but only 7% produce content on matters of public interest. Druviete said people who create content are better able to assess the quality of material made by others.

Use of artificial intelligence is rising rapidly, while more people say they deliberately avoid the news. The number of young people who read news on online portals fell from 62% to 55% over the past year.