IN-DEPTH
PERSPECTIVE ON
MEDIA LITERACY
KATRINA E. DABA I EDA I ED 4
WHAT IS MEDIA LITERACY?
Media Literacy is our ability to understand how mass media work,
what are its coverages, how do we fully utilize them, how it
produces meanings for us to comprehend, and knowing what are
the positive and negative effect of media in society and
individuals in general.
BRIEF HISTORY OF MEDIA LITERACY
Media wasn't recognized until 1960's. Philosophers, Psychologists,
Sociologists, Linguists, and Critical Thinkers often heads it. Media
is all about learning to read and write. The invention of movable
printing press, the desire of people to get educated, and to stop
the government from controlling the people, media literacy set
off. In addition, being a media literate hinders yellow journalism.
Furthermore, Media Literacy is adapting and changes all the time.
MEDIA AND THE MIND
The mind does not only automate our daily actions but also how
we find new information sensible. In the link of media and brain,
it is easier to understand things that we prefer and believe in to
be true especially when we are facing a load of information.
Information satisficing, is we accept what is laid down in front of us
and just look for clues to solidify our version of truth. It is important
to remember that the brain on media is prone to taking short routes.
MEDIA AND MONEY
Media is a big collection of massive money-making industries.
Additionally, it is made - created by someone or group of people,
and they make choices that are based from life experiences and
money. Media is how we comprehend things like race, disability,
age, or sexual orientation. If a familiar stereotype is used in mainstream
media, it doesn't ruffle too many conservatives hence, more viewers and
money. Each show is decided by the production and it is sometimes affected
by money, and this could either be perceived is positive or negative. Thus, a
media is made to trend towards monetary gains and profits.
INFLUENCE AND PERSUASION
This is about advertising, public relations, and propaganda. It focuses on
how good the constructed story appeals to the public eyes and makes us
want to buy things. Here are some factors that persuade us: first is
Authority, an expert recommended products. Second is Consensus, a
thing that is very popular around. Third is False Dilemma, where an ad
shows limited choices so you won't consider all options. Fourth is Red
Herring, presenting irrelevant thoughts to distract; occurs in politics all
the time. Fifth is Traditional Wisdom, the idea that our choices should
align with our ancestors.
MEDIA POLICIES AND REGULATIONS
Anti-trust laws exist to prevent monopolies from happening. Simply having
no competition in the market is bad for media in general. In media, certain
rules are implemented for what content can be allowed to various
technologies. Copyright, Fair Use, The Public Domain, and General Data
Protection Regulation are example of media laws. Aside from these, in our
internet resource today, there is a presence of net neutrality so that
internet service providers won't have a dominant power or a walled garden
and benefit alone. As we follow protocols, it is significant to instill in our
minds that our words and images have meaning and can be used against
us.
