What is Media Literacy?
Media literacy can be described as one’s ability to analyze and think critically about the media they are consuming by looking deeply at the different aspects of the messages. This could involve being wary about the motivations behind the media, potential biases and coming at it from not just your own perspective.
Why is it Important?
Media literacy is important because it allows us to gain the full picture of what we are consuming, as well as allowing us to stay vigilant against false or misinformation created to skew what we think or how we’re thinking. It is also important because of the sheer amount of information we are constantly exposed to and have to sift through, and it allows us to determine what is reliable content and what is not.
Why is it Dismissed?
As I said in this weeks learning pods, media literacy can often be dismissed because it can threaten the skewed or one sided information that someone may wish to put out for their own gain of power, whether that be politically, economically or otherwise. Media literacy requires critical thinking of those in power positions which may involve holding them accountable or them losing membership if people become aware of their skewed informational views. Without this critical thinking, those in power can use media to push their own agendas and ideologies without any checks in place to see if what they are saying is objective or accurate.
Why Should you Aim for Varied Views but the Factual Consensus in your PLN?
In my Personal Learning Network, it is important to look for varied views, because different perspectives allow you to gain a more worldly point of view as you can think about things open-mindedly, and not just in your own path of thinking. At the same time, it is important to aim for a factual consensus for your PLN because that will conclude that the information you are taking in through media is actually reliable and objectively accurate. Both of these aspects of a PLN are extremely important to its integrity, and ensuring that media literacy is taking place.
What is the Benefit of Having a PLN that Values Media Literacy?
Having a PLN that values media literacy is beneficial in so many ways. It allows you to communicate better with others through the media literacy skills that relate to Information and Communication Technology (or ICT), through the best use of networking tools that allow for us to create, share and connect with others through information. It also allows us to make critically thought out decisions about the information that we are taking in and consuming, where we are getting our information from, who is supplying it and if there could be any biases. It also allows us to stay informed on the events of the world and be as unbiased and understanding as possible, especially when it comes to complex and multisided events or issues.