RYA RYZEL M.
RABISANTO
MEDIA AND INFORMATION LITERACY:
SUMMARY OF THE SUBJECT AND KEY
TAKEAWAYS
COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA
Communication is the transfer of information from one person to another.
2 types of communication:
Verbal - involves spoken, written, or
signed words
Non-Verbal - uses body language and
visual cues.
Said information is sent through a channel or medium.
MEDIA, the plural of medium, is a means of mass communication; it is through
media we disseminate news, music, movies, education, promotional messages and
other data.
Mass media has become a part of life, especially now in the digital era. Because
of media information is being spread like wildfire, whether they be factual or not.
So to avoid being deceived, it is important to become media and information
literate.
MEDIA LITERACY is the ability to access, analyze, evaluate and create media in
a variety of forms. To be media literate is to think critically of media messages
being received and use said media to create content and send your own
messages. INFORMATION LITERACY, on the other hand, is the ability to
identify, find, evaluate, and use information effectively.
Thus, a person who is capable of accessing, analyzing, evaluating, and creating
information from media and other information sources is a MEDIA AND
INFORMATION LITERATE individual.
Media is a powerful tool that could kill somebody if used by the wrong people, and
I meant that both metaphorically and literally; cyberbullying and cybercrimes are
examples of such media activities. As depressing as it is to admit, there are
people out there that harbor malice and are genuinely not afraid of hurting
others, and because they are doing such horrid acts behind the screen, it is
harder for them to get tracked. With how accessible media is to people, it will be
impossible to stop such cybercrimes, so to not end up as a victim it is best to not
engage with malicious users.
The best way to avoid engaging with malicious people on the internet is to be
intelligent in using mass media. Always analyze the information you receive on the
internet as these users manipulate data to gain your trust. But intelligence
covers a wide spectrum and technical intelligence is not enough; a person should
also be emotionally intelligent when surfing through media, especially in social
media where plenty of users have a sharp tongue. Sometimes social media
becomes a depressing place filled with negativity so it is best to keep yourself in
check and take breaks.
With all that being said, most of the people interacting online are not malicious, a
lot of them are decent. Mass media has become a place to meet and interact
with many others with similar interests. People use the media to spread different
messages and information, and said information could be false, fake, or
manipulated even if the sender did so with no ill-intent. So even if the user who
posted is someone you know, it is still best to look up the sources and do
research.
Social media and messaging applications are not the only media platform to exist;
movies, songs, and books are some other forms of media. People consume these
type of media for entertainment, as well as tools for meeting new people who
share similar interests. Because these forms of mass media are enjoyed by many,
they have the power to influence lives. Creators could use this to send a
message, whether it be good or bad, so media and information literacy should
also apply here. It is one thing to like a movie, and another to view it as a way of
life
Media is everywhere and has become a part of life. Everybody and their
grandmothers consumes and uses media everyday whether it be for school, for
work, or just to pass time. It is through media information is being spread and
disseminated. In addition, media allows people to interact and meet with others
and form bonds and connections with them, including malicious people. In
conclusion, this subject taught me to avoid ill-intended users by being mindful
and rational; to be intelligent and take media messages and information with an
open mind; and to be emotionally strong and not let others words affect me.
Media and Information Literacy, or MIL, is important to spread awareness and
educate people on what to and what not to do when engaging yourself in media.
