New media literacy of communication faculty students in Kyrgyzstan: an investigation in the context of demographic variables

This study aims to determine the new media literacy levels of communication faculty students in Kyrgyzstan and to examine the relationship between these levels and demographic variables such as age, gender, class and internet usage time. The research was conducted using a cross-sectional survey model, and the data were obtained from 418 students studying at three state universities between September and December 2024. A new media literacy scale with a validity and reliability study was used as a data collection tool. The data obtained were analysed using frequency, t-test, ANOVA and Pearson correlation analysis in SPSS software.The findings show that students’ new media literacy levels, in general, are above the midpoint of the scale, especially in the functional production and critical consumption sub-dimensions. Female students’ media literacy levels were significantly higher than male students. It was also found that media literacy skills increased as age and grade level increased. However, no significant relationship was found between internet usage time and media literacy. In line with the findings, media literacy education should focus not only on technical skills but also on critical thinking, ethical awareness and productive participation.