[Ramrod]

Learning how to watch tv is as important as maths and physics

LEARNING how to watch television is as important a discipline as maths and science, the Culture Secretary has said.

Ms Jowell has given Ofcom, the communications indus- tries watchdog, a duty to promote †œmedia literacyââ‚à ƒâ€šÃ‚¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚ÂÂ� and is asking broadcasters to help to educate viewers. University media studies courses †â€ÂÂÂ� dismissed as †œvacuousà¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚¬Ã‚ ÂÂ� by Chris Woodhead, the former Chief Inspector of Schools †â€ÂÂÂ� could play a vital role.

But academics were not convinced that †œmedia literacyââ‚à ƒâ€šÃ‚¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚ÂÂ� should be given equal weight to maths and science. Professor Alan Smithers, director of the Centre for Education and Employment Research, said: †œStudying the means of communication can be fun but it does not push back the barriers of ignorance. It is far less important than establishing whether something is true, which only a study of sciences can hope to achieve.ââ‚à ƒâ€šÃ‚¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚ÂÂ�

What does everyone think of this? My views are probably not suitable for a nice site like this