Fair Use and Media Literacy Education

Code of Best Practices in Fair Use for Media Literacy Education

The Code of Best Practices in Fair Use for Media Literacy Education
This document is a code of best practices that helps educators using media Media Litliteracy concepts and techniques to interpret the copyright doctrine of fair use. Fair use is the right to use copyrighted material without permission or payment under some circumstances—especially when the cultural or social benefits of the use are predominant. It is a general right that applies even in situations where the law provides no specific authorization for the use in question—as it does for certain narrowly defined classroom activities.

This guide identifies five principles that represent the media literacy education community’s current consensus about acceptable practices for the fair use of copyrighted materials, wherever and however it occurs: in K–12 education, in higher education, in nonprofit organizations that offer programs for children and youth, and in adult education.Read more...

The Cost of Copyright Confusion for Media Literacy
The Cost of Copyright Confusion for Media Literacy, based on scores of longform interviews with teachers, shows that the fundamental goals of media literacy education—to cultivate critical thinking and expression about media and its social role—are compromised by unnecessary copyright restrictions. As a result of poor guidance, counterproductive guidelines, and fear, teachers use less effective teaching techniques, teach and transmit erroneous copyright information, fail to share innovative instructional approaches, and do not take advantage of new digital platforms.Read more...

Fair Use in Media Literacy Education FAQ
Educators need to make better use of their fair use rights under copyright law. The Code of Best Practices in Fair Use for Media Literacy Education helps clear away the copyright confusion and, in the process, encourage the use of mass media, popular culture and digital media as a means to build students' critical thinking and communication skills. Here, the Media Education Lab answers some common questions about the Code.Read more...


Teaching Tools

Teaching about Copyright and Fair Use for Media Literacy Education
The Media Education Lab at Temple University has created a whole set of Curriculum Materials for teaching and understanding copyright and fair use. The materials include lesson plans, songs, case studies, and videos. If you're interested in learning more about Fair Use in Media Literacy Education, make sure to check out these excellent materials!Read more...

Fair Use Language for Course Syllabi
In your syllabus, you often have some information on copyright. Here is some language to include in that section, specifically on fair use. This language has been reviewed by lawyers, including law professor Peter Jaszi of American University’s Washington College of Law and Michael Donaldson of Donaldson and Hart law firm, and it has been approved by the University Film and Video Association for use by its members.

Statement of the Fair Use of Images for Teaching, Research, and Study
The Visual Resources Association  has released its own code of best practices  in fair use. It will be enormously valuable to art teachers, librarians, curators, publishers and more. The Statement  well describes the need for professionals working with image resources to know their free speech rights in regard to fair use.Read more...

 

Videos

Fair Use in Media Literacy Education
To read the full Code of Best Practices in Fair Use for Media Literacy, click here.

"Fair Use is a Right" featuring the Dramatic Chipmunk
"Fair Use Is A Right," was created by AU Alum Kristian Perry and features the Dramatic Chipmunk! Share this with your friends on Facebook and Twitter and spread the word about fair use!

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