University of Kwazulu-Natal

Strengthen Media Literacy To Win The Fight Against Misinformation

Bonisiwe Shabane
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strengthen media literacy to win the fight against misinformation

If the world is going to stop deliberate or unintentional misinformation and its insidious effects, we need to radically expand and accelerate our counterattacks, particularly human-centered solutions focused on improving people's media and information... By Kristin M. Lord & Katya Vogt Mar. 18, 2021 The deliberate or unintentional spread of misinformation, despite capturing widespread public attention, remains as rampant as ever, showing up recently in the form of false claims about COVID-19 vaccines, the Capitol riot, and many... This “infodemic” is polarizing politics, endangering communities, weakening institutions, and leaving people unsure what to believe or whom to trust.

It threatens the foundations of democratic governance, social cohesion, national security, and public health. Misinformation is a long-term problem that demands long-term, sustainable solutions as well as short-term interventions. We've seen a number of quicker, technological fixes that improve the social media platforms that supply information. Companies like Facebook and Twitter, for example, have adjusted their algorithms or called out problematic content. We've also seen slower, human-centered approaches that make people smarter about the media they demand to access online. Evidence-driven educational programs, for instance, have made people better at discerning the reliability of information sources, distinguishing facts from opinions, resisting emotional manipulation, and being good digital citizens.

It hasn't been enough. If we're to stop misinformation and its insidious effects, we need to radically expand and accelerate our counterattacks. It will take all sectors of society: business, nonprofits, advocacy organizations, philanthropists, researchers, governments, and more. We also need to balance our efforts. For too long, too many resources and debates have focused on changing the technology, not educating people. This emphasis on the supply side of the problem without a similar investment in the demand side may be a less effective use of time and energy.

Disinformation is more complex than ever, making media and information literacy education crucial. Image: Unsplash/Hartano Creatives The ability to critically engage with information is more important than ever. From viral falsehoods and deepfakes to emotionally manipulative content designed to mislead or divide, the information environment has become increasingly complex and opaque. In this context, media and information literacy have emerged as a global priority, recognized not only as a key individual skill set but also a foundational pillar for safeguarding democratic discourse, social cohesion and... Media and information literacy equips individuals with the tools to access, analyze, evaluate and create information responsibly, empowering them to navigate a digital ecosystem shaped by algorithmic curation, commercial incentives and evolving threats.

Yet, its significance extends beyond personal empowerment. As disinformation campaigns grow more sophisticated and pervasive, the need for a whole-of-society approach becomes clear, one that integrates media and information literacy into education systems, workplace training, public service messaging and digital platform... In a bustling city, a young professional named Emily receives a message from a close friend warning her about a dangerous new trend affecting the community. The alarming message, accompanied by a convincing image and urgent language, spreads quickly among her circle, causing widespread panic. However, upon further investigation, Emily discovers that the warning was a piece of misinformation, entirely fabricated and spread by individuals seeking to create chaos. This anecdote highlights the critical need for media literacy in our digital age.

Media literacy refers to the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, and create media in various forms. It equips individuals with the skills necessary to navigate the complex media landscape, discern credible information from falsehoods, and make informed decisions. In a world where fake news and misinformation can spread like wildfire through social media and other digital platforms, media literacy has become essential for personal empowerment and societal well-being. By fostering critical thinking and promoting informed consumption of media, media literacy helps protect individuals and communities from the harmful effects of misinformation. Media literacy is the capacity to access, analyze, evaluate, and create media in diverse forms. It entails a comprehensive understanding of how media operates, the messages it conveys, and its impact on society.

Through media literacy, individuals learn to critically assess the credibility and purpose of various media messages, distinguishing between factual information and misinformation. This skill set is essential in today’s digital world, where information is abundant and often manipulated. Media literacy fosters critical thinking, enabling individuals to recognize bias, propaganda, and the underlying motives of media producers. It also empowers them to engage actively and responsibly with media, making informed decisions and contributing to a more informed and discerning society. Misinformation refers to false or inaccurate information that is spread, regardless of intent to deceive. It encompasses a wide range of incorrect data, from simple errors and misunderstandings to unintentional mistakes in reporting or sharing content.

Misinformation can originate from various sources, including individuals, media outlets, or social media platforms, and can quickly proliferate in the digital age due to the ease of information sharing. Unlike disinformation, which is deliberately crafted to mislead, misinformation is often spread by people who believe the information to be true. Despite the lack of malicious intent, misinformation can still have significant negative impacts, such as fostering confusion, perpetuating myths, and influencing public opinion or behavior based on false premises. Addressing misinformation requires a combination of media literacy, critical thinking, and fact-checking to ensure that information is accurate and reliable. Fake news refers to deliberately fabricated information presented as legitimate news. This type of content is created with the intent to deceive, mislead, or manipulate the audience, often for political, financial, or social gain.

Fake news can take various forms, including completely false stories, distorted facts, sensational headlines, and misleading images or videos. It leverages the trust people place in traditional news formats to spread misinformation rapidly, especially through social media platforms where it can quickly reach a wide audience. The proliferation of fake news can have serious consequences, such as undermining public trust in genuine journalism, influencing elections, and creating widespread misinformation on critical issues. Combating fake news requires a vigilant approach to media consumption, including verifying sources, cross-checking facts, and fostering media literacy to discern between credible news and fabricated content. Combating Disinformation in the Digital Age: A Global Call for Media Literacy In an era defined by instant access to information, the proliferation of disinformation poses a significant threat to societies worldwide.

Disinformation, defined as deliberately misleading information disseminated to manipulate public opinion and erode trust in established media, has become increasingly prevalent in the digital landscape. From social media platforms like Facebook and TikTok to messaging apps like WhatsApp, false narratives can spread rapidly, jeopardizing public discourse and hindering access to accurate information during critical events such as elections, conflicts,... Recognizing the urgency of this issue, the Global Cooperation and Training Framework (GCTF) convened a workshop in Taipei, Taiwan, focusing on media literacy as a crucial defense against the insidious spread of disinformation. The GCTF workshop brought together a diverse array of stakeholders, including government officials, media professionals, academics, and civil society representatives from around the globe. The central theme of the workshop revolved around empowering individuals with the skills to critically assess information and identify disinformation. Participants engaged in discussions on best practices for combating disinformation, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between governments, civil society organizations, and media outlets.

The workshop underscored the need for a multi-faceted approach to address the complex challenges posed by disinformation, recognizing that media literacy is a shared responsibility. The workshop highlighted the critical role of fact-checking in countering disinformation. Participants learned techniques for verifying information and identifying misleading narratives. The importance of questioning the source and motivation behind information was emphasized, as disinformation often stems from biased or propagandistic agendas. Recognizing that disinformation campaigns frequently target specific demographics or exploit existing societal divisions, the workshop explored strategies for tailoring media literacy initiatives to address specific vulnerabilities. Case studies from various countries provided real-world examples of the impact of disinformation and the effectiveness of media literacy interventions.

One participant from the Kingdom of Eswatini shared her experience with combating false information about her country’s political system. She emphasized the importance of correcting misconceptions and providing accurate information to counter misleading narratives. Another participant from Thailand highlighted the challenges posed by disinformation in the context of regional conflicts, where online propaganda can exacerbate tensions and fuel animosity. If the world is going to stop deliberate or unintentional misinformation and its insidious effects, we need to radically expand and accelerate our counterattacks, particularly human-centered solutions focused on improving people's media and information... READ MORE> Media literacy skills important to counter disinformation, survey says

Nearly three of four Americans (72%) surveyed say skills in media literacy are important in the face of intentionally misleading or inaccurate information in the media, according to the new Media and Technology Survey... The survey also found a significant partisan divide about the importance of media literacy skills, with Democrats (81%) being more likely to agree than Republicans (66%). While 3 in 5 agree (61%) that this type of training teaches people how to think more critically, not what to think, this belief also differs by party identification, with Democrats (72%) more likely... “Americans are facing difficult issues that require informed decisions, including a contentious presidential election, military action in Ukraine and Gaza, and climate change,” says Michelle Amazeen, associate dean for research at Boston University’s College... “But just when we need trusted information more than ever, our media ecosystem is poised for a tsunami of deliberately false content intended to mislead, supercharged by the use of generative artificial intelligence. Most but not all people, we found, understand they need to have new skills to deal with it.”

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