Understanding Media Literacy
Introduction
We are more connected than ever. The way we obtain information has changed with the revolution of technology. From print media to audio to audiovisual to the internet as it is now, this has changed the way, information is created, spread, and received among humanity. The ease with which we have access to information daily also has created a kind of vulnerability from such information. It is getting more difficult to believe what is real and what is not. Thereby, it is a must that we need to have a rational perspective to any information that we have come into contact with. Herein, comes Media Literacy, a tool to filter information from the data that is relevant, authentic, complete, and unique as far as possible
Meaning
To understand what media literacy is, first it is pertinent to know what media is. Media is derived from the late 16th century Latin, literally ‘middle’, neuter of medius. Thereby, it is a medium or go-between from which a party creates/spreads information for another. In other words, it refers to different channels/ways in which news, entertainment, or any kind of specialized information is spread targeting a particular or general audience for a time. It exists everywhere from printed billboards, newspapers, or magazines to audio like radio to audio-visual like television to the modern internet which acts as a platform for different websites facilitating all the above like YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, and more.
Likewise, the origin of the word "Literacy" goes back to the late 19th century: from literate; meaning the ability to read and write. Aligned with the subject on hand, literacy refers to the ability to read-understand-analyze then create (image/data/video) with a written language. So combining these two what we can summarize "Media Literacy" as, is an understanding of how and why messages are spread. Queries like who is the creator? What is the content used (images/message)? How are they supposed to make someone feel? These are some of the important techniques to take the news/messages in with an open mind, without being influenced by the content creator, we can then decide whether to believe, then act upon
Importance
We are bombarded with information after information from waking hours to the time we go to bed. We have a limited time and energy to go through these messages which are found everywhere. Media Literacy is truly important for everyone who has access to media especially the internet. With the internet, we spend lots of time on social sites like Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, or Instagram. Thereby, it is just that we spend our valuable time and energy on only those information that is relevant to us, rather than filled with sensational news. Sensational news is that news which is created to shock, awe or simply to excite the greatest number of readers and viewers, These kinds of news are actually insignificant and irrelevant to our daily life, and yet with selected words, images, or clips which are loud, colorful and self-centered. they seem truly important. e.g. Republic World, a popular Tv channel hailing from India which is known for its sensational news from Nepalese-Indian-China Border Case to Deepika Padukone Car Chase.
Social sites like FB, Twitter facilitate news or information to flow to us instantly and almost without cost. Furthermore, unlike traditional media like newspaper or tv, we as users can create our own message and share with our friends, families, and colleagues. Thereby, there is always the question of authenticity when important news, which we share is spread through these websites. To prevent being fooled, and spreading false information, we must look at those messages with a critical mindset before sharing.
Even the news from National newspaper or television may not be always accurate. Sometimes relevant information is omitted or irrelevant news is printed or broadcasted. Why? It is because those media houses are paid to do so. Large organizations and governments have vested interest in such news and thereby news showing favorable light to them is shared. That news, especially, financial news or social news, sometimes even entertainment news plays a great role in our lives. It is because we make personal decisions based on this news from career decisions, to day to day purchasing decisions, to shifting of living space itself. Information creates choices and thereby we make choices that are best for our own, family, and community interest. Thus it is a must to have information that is accurate, authentic, and relevant as far as possible.
Being a Media Literate
What media literacy advocates are the accuracy of the message. To do so, we need to go through multiple sources and if one source of the news confirms another it is more accurate. Rather than relying on a single news source, with multiple sources, we get a piece of well-informed information and we can then decide to believe or not. Also, it is necessary to examine the completeness of the message. Which message explains the best, it is generally accurate. To be complete, it requires different points of view along with these questions: Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?.
First, we need to understand what kind of news we are getting. Generally, the most popular are also more vulnerable to sensationalism as discussed above. Thereby, we have to question its relevance, as well as the intent of the content, along with who created it, and how it is created and spread. Is it an individual or an organization i.e. the creator? How is the information presented with sufficient authentic data and evidence to back it or not? Is anything left out or is it focused on something irrelevant? And why do you or anybody thinks that? How does the message make you feel?
As we know, trust in the present world is a hard-earned currency. The information we see/hear/perceive about products, people, events, or anything whatsoever cannot be fully trusted. Thereby, a thorough cross-evaluation is necessary to fully comprehend what we have on our plate. Also, we can examine the information itself and utilize the previous experience to truly be media literate.
Thai Advertisements are very poignant and have messages within them. From simply humorous to advocating family values and love. they align the feeling with the product they offer. So, it is necessary to step back and rationalize, are we being manipulated? Is the Coca-Cola shown in the advertisement as refreshing as it is claimed? Or normal water is better? Is the COVID-19 as dangerous as it sounds or is it the other way around?
Conclusion
Seeing is not believing nor is hearing or scanning through tons and tons of information. Nothing is as it seems, the reality is based on the level of perception we have and more than what others show us. We need to peel away the surface layers after layers to find the true nature of the things as they are, not as should be. Thus, accurate and complete information is important but what is more important is invaluable knowledge gleaned from them, to make our lives better each passing day.
reference
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sensationalism
https://www.coursera.org/learn/media/home/info
https://verified.ed-era.com/
https://giphy.com/
https://edurev.in/studytube/Chapter-Notes-Chapter-6-Understanding-Media--SST--/ba385737-4081-434a-94b2-96afdfbe6f3b_t
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