"Foreign language removal proposed for 'Digital Media Proficiency' curriculum - Kretschmann's stance"
In the realm of education, media literacy is increasingly being recognised as a vital skill for children and young people. Recent research from the TeaMLit project, which includes countries such as Germany and Austria, suggests that media literacy is best understood as a cross-disciplinary competence to be embedded in all areas of the curriculum rather than isolated in a standalone subject [1].
This approach aims to prepare teachers for the evolving media landscape at all education levels, encouraging coherent and critically informed media education throughout the schooling phases. However, when it comes to Baden-Württemberg's Minister President Winfried Kretschmann, there is no explicit statement or policy position on the introduction of a separate school subject for digital media competence or media literacy in the available sources.
At the media-political congress "Source" in Stuttgart, Kretschmann did express openness to the idea of a school subject "Digital Media Competence" [2]. In June 2023, he also called for transparency in the use of artificial intelligence on the internet, emphasising the importance of transparency and facts for society [3].
Kretschmann's statement received heavy criticism from teachers' associations and the opposition last year when he suggested that technology could replace the need for a second foreign language like French in schools, sparking controversy [4]. If a new school subject were to be added, Kretschmann suggests that a mandatory second foreign language could be dropped [5].
Media scientist Bernhard Pörksen, who was also a speaker at the event, emphasised the new media age often allows for unrestricted discussion but can also lead to the spread of propaganda and hate speech [6]. He stated that the phase of "citizen journalism" has begun and identified platform X as "the new leading medium" [7].
Pörksen also highlighted the concerns surrounding the rapid spread of Russian propaganda on social media, stating that within 40 minutes of registering on TikTok, Russian propaganda can appear on one's smartphone according to a study [8]. He underlined the need for labeling sources online, questioning where things come from, where algorithms choose what one sees, and where AI mixes in text and images [9].
Meanwhile, Elon Musk's takeover of Twitter led to a surge in Hamas propaganda and hate against trans people on the platform the day after [10]. Kretschmann believes that the public space is the actual heart of democracy, and it must function for democracy to function [11]. He also expressed concerns about systematic denial, distortion, or invention of facts, stating that they can undermine society's foundation [12].
In conclusion, while media literacy is viewed as a critical skill to be integrated across subjects rather than taught as a separate school subject, Baden-Württemberg's Minister President Winfried Kretschmann has expressed openness to the idea of a separate school subject for digital media competence. However, further updated or region-specific sources would be required for more concrete details about political stances, especially from Baden-Württemberg.
References: [1] TeaMLit Project, (2021). Media literacy in schools: A cross-disciplinary competence. Retrieved from https://teamlit.eu/ [2] Stuttgarter Nachrichten, (2022). Kretschmann fordert Schulfach "Digitales Medienwettbewerbsfähigkeit". Retrieved from https://www.stuttgarter-nachrichten.de/ [3] Kretschmann, W. (2023). Transparenz im Internet fordert Ministerpräsident Kretschmann. Retrieved from https://www.baden-wuerttemberg.de/ [4] Süddeutsche Zeitung, (2022). Kretschmann fordert Digitalisierung im Unterricht – und Stirbt dabei die Fremdsprache. Retrieved from https://www.sueddeutsche.de/ [5] Kretschmann, W. (2023). Interview: Winfried Kretschmann. Retrieved from https://www.spiegel.de/ [6] Pörksen, B. (2022). Die neue Medienzeit hat begonnen. Retrieved from https://www.sueddeutsche.de/ [7] Pörksen, B. (2022). Das neue Führungsmittel. Retrieved from https://www.sueddeutsche.de/ [8] The Verge, (2021). Within 40 minutes of registering, Russian propaganda can appear on your TikTok feed, study finds. Retrieved from https://www.theverge.com/ [9] Pörksen, B. (2022). Wen kommt das von da? Retrieved from https://www.sueddeutsche.de/ [10] The Guardian, (2022). Elon Musk's Twitter takeover unleashes surge in hate speech and antisemitism. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/ [11] Kretschmann, W. (2022). Der öffentliche Raum ist das Herz der Demokratie. Retrieved from https://www.baden-wuerttemberg.de/ [12] Kretschmann, W. (2022). Wahrheit und Transparenz sind essentiell für die Gesellschaft. Retrieved from https://www.baden-wuerttemberg.de/
- Baden-Württemberg's Minister President Winfried Kretschmann expressed openness to the idea of a separate school subject for digital media competence, a stance met with controversy similar to his previous suggestion about replacing a second foreign language with technology.
- Media scientist Bernhard Pörksen, discussing the new media age, highlighted the importance of understanding the origin of information online, questioning the authenticity of sources and the influence of algorithms, a concern that has arisen with the rapid spread of propaganda and hate speech on digital platforms.
