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W. James Potter. Argument for the Need of a Cognitive Theory of Media Literacy. American Behavioral Scientist, October 2004; vol. 48, 2: pp. 266–272.

The thesis of this article is that the individual should be regarded as the locus of media literacy – not schools, parents, or the media industries. Furthermore, the article argues that it is not sufficient to educate individuals about the nature of the media and the potential harm of various messages. There is an issue more fundamental than education and that is the building of greater understanding about how the human mind works.

Everette E. Dennis. Out of Sight and Out of Mind: The Media Literacy Needs for Grown-Ups. American Behavioral Scientist, October 2004; vol. 48, 2: pp. 202–211.

With few exceptions, media literacy programs typically are aimed at children and youth in elementary and high schools, although the term media literacy, as defined generally, could apply to persons of any age. This article considers the range and scope of media literacy conceptually and operationally while suggesting there is a case for media literacy for adults. The expanding concept of literacy in relationship to media platforms and technologies is considered, as are college-level and postcollege approaches. Benefits to individuals and society are considered along with potential barriers. The locus of responsibility for media literacy, it is argued, ought to be with educators, media industries, and other institutional interests, as well as individuals themselves.