Media Literacy
[mee·dee·uh li·tr·uh·see] : noun
The ability to access, analyze, evaluate, create, and act using all forms of communication.
In today's world, misinformation runs rampant. Social media, where so many people get their news nowadays, only exacerbates the issue with its' algorithm, prioritizing engagement over truth and drawing users into echo chambers. Traditional news outlets might maintain certain standards of journalism, but can still fall prey to chasing headlines. That being said, we don't have to be fearful of media; there is value in taking in knowledge of the world around us that we otherwise wouldn't gain from personal interactions. Rather, we simply need to be cautious and diligent in reading past the first headline we see.
DON'T JUST Drink IT IN.
How credible is the data? Who is providing the story, and what is their motivation? What is the other side of the story? Beyond understanding the story, we also need to look at ourselves: having taken in knowledge, how will I react? What are my core values, and how do they guide my reactions in a productive way?
Once you have the knowledge, it's up to you what to do with it. Feeling influenced isn't necessarily manipulation. It's human to feel scared, worried, sad, and angry. The world as it is can be polarizing. But when it comes down to action, make sure you are informed––that your actions are truly your own, not a riled up reaction to misinformation.Take everything with a grain of salt, even the resources provided below. Do your own research. Keep asking questions.
Additional Resources
