Abstract
The theoretical study explores media symbolic power as the main condition and means of its educational influence. The study introduces the concept of symbolic power, from which author deduces the existence of specific media "educational program".
The second part discusses the role of the state in shaping the symbolic environment and stresses the main position state holds in defining parameters of media "educational program" as a dominant hegemon of symbolic power. The possibility of creating opposition discourses potentially disruptive to symbolic hegemony of the state and the role which media education plays in this process is the topic of the next part.
At the conclusion of the paper is then formulated concept of media literacy as a social and civic competence that enables individuals to participate more effectively in the process of public communication and political decision-making.