Detector Media has published the results of its research on the media literacy index of Ukrainians, i.e. the level of ability to consciously perceive and critically interpret information, as well as to use a variety of media. Read all the results here, and below we publish the key findings.

The level of the overall media literacy index has changed significantly over the past year: the share of the audience with an above-average level of the index has decreased from 81% to 76%. The sub-index of understanding the role of media in society has not changed significantly compared to the previous year, 2022. And the sensitivity of Ukrainians to distorted content has increased: the share of the audience with an above-average score increased from 65% to 70%.

The share of the audience with high and above-average digital competence decreased from 64% to 55% (2022 vs. 2023). The level of media literacy depends on age, level of education, wealth, and place of residence.

It is quite predictable that the level of media literacy is high among young people aged 18-25 (due to the digital competence sub-index) and low among the older age group 56-65.

The lower the educational status, the lower the level of media literacy. Thus, among respondents with a general secondary education, the share of people with low and below average levels is 29%, and among those with complete/incomplete higher education – only 13%.

The indicator of public understanding of the role of the media has hardly changed compared to the previous year, 2022. The majority of the audience – 70% – believes that the main mission of the media is to inform citizens about socially significant events.

Over the past year, there was a decrease in the number of people who believe that the media works in the interests of the state (from 31% in 2022 to 25% in 2023) and society as a whole (from 15% in 2022 to 12% in 2023). The largest share of the audience (30%) believes that the media works in the interests of their owners and investors. As in the previous year, only 7% are convinced that the media care about the interests of their viewers (in 2021, the number was even lower – 4%). 

The share of those who consider the TV marathon format to be fully justified during the war has also decreased – from 58% in 2022 to 41% in 2023. 74% of respondents say that due to the lack of different points of view on the events in the telethon, they look for information from other sources.

The study revealed a high level of sensitivity to distorted content among Ukrainians.

The study was conducted with the financial support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark (DANIDA).