Who Experiences Growth in News Media Literacy and Why Does It Matter? Examining Education, Individual Differences, and Democratic Outcomes

2017 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. 167-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa Tully ◽  
Emily K. Vraga

Developing news media literacy skills is recognized as an important part of becoming an informed citizen, but not enough research examines how growth in media literacy differs by individual characteristics. Using a panel study of undergraduate students, we examine which predispositions predict growth in news media literacy beliefs over the semester. We then test whether growth in news media literacy leads individuals to more highly value and engage in heterogeneous political discussion, a critical part of a functioning democracy. Our results suggest some individuals experience more growth in news media literacy, and that growth contributes to democratic attitudes and behaviors.

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-71
Author(s):  
Rachel Guldin ◽  
Krystal Noga-Styron ◽  
Sarah Britto

Abstract The covid-19 pandemic disrupted political, economic, and social life in the United States beginning in March 2020, disproportionately affecting historically underrepresented groups. Media assumed unique roles during the pandemic, serving simultaneously as the gateway to work, education, social life, news, and public health information. Yet the covid-19 pandemic has been so challenged by misinformation that the World Health Organization declared it an infodemic. Because misinformation can prolong pandemics and increase deaths, news and media literacy can benefit society at large, especially vulnerable populations. The purpose of this descriptive study is to capture how undergraduates used media, how they obtained their news, and how they engaged news literacy skills during the covid-19 pandemic. A survey of over 900 undergraduate students showed that over two-thirds of respondents increased media use. Over half of respondents reported entertainment as their top reason for media use during the pandemic and reported news as their last reason. Respondents reporting previous exposure to news literacy education were significantly more likely to use most of the measured news literacy strategies. The findings of this study can support developing pandemic-responsive news and media literacy education which will be useful during future pandemics.


2021 ◽  
pp. 194016122110252
Author(s):  
Sebastián Valenzuela ◽  
Daniel Halpern ◽  
Felipe Araneda

Despite widespread concern, research on the consequences of misinformation on people's attitudes is surprisingly scant. To fill in this gap, the current study examines the long-term relationship between misinformation and trust in the news media. Based on the reinforcing spirals model, we analyzed data from a three-wave panel survey collected in Chile between 2017 and 2019. We found a weak, over-time relationship between misinformation and media skepticism. Specifically, initial beliefs on factually dubious information were negatively correlated with subsequent levels of trust in the news media. Lower trust in the media, in turn, was related over time to higher levels of misinformation. However, we found no evidence of a reverse, parallel process where media trust shielded users against misinformation, further reinforcing trust in the news media. The lack of evidence of a downward spiral suggests that the corrosive effects of misinformation on attitudes toward the news media are less serious than originally suggested. We close with a discussion of directions for future research.


2016 ◽  
Vol 90 (3) ◽  
pp. 195-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin N Crowl ◽  
Joshua R Battin

Using lifestyle exposure theory as a guide, this study examines the complex relationship between fear of crime and select lifestyle and individual-level constructs. Participants included undergraduate students at two state-funded universities located in Pennsylvania. Student fear of crime at both universities was examined to ascertain what factors influence this emotion-laden phenomenon. Results revealed support for several key fear of crime correlates. Notably, a significant relationship emerged between police visibility and fear of crime in the estimated partial and full models. Results also indicated that student lifestyle choices can impact fear of crime; this relationship can vary across samples, as evidenced in this study. It was also found that multiple individual characteristics, namely gender, race and living arrangement, were positively related to student fear of crime. A discussion and implications are offered to conclude.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessie Nixon

Purpose This paper aims to demonstrate how teaching the discourse of critique, an integral part of the video production process, can be used to eliminate barriers for young people in gaining new media literacy skills helping more young people become producers rather than consumers of digital media. Design/methodology/approach This paper describes an instrumental qualitative case study (Stake, 2000) in two elective high school video production classrooms in the Midwestern region of the USA. The author conducted observations, video and audio recorded critique sessions, conducted semi-structured interviews and collected artifacts throughout production including storyboards, brainstorms and rough and final cuts of videos. Findings Throughout critique, young video producers used argumentation strategies to cocreate meaning, multiple methods of inquiry and questioning, critically evaluated feedback and synthesized their ideas and those of their peers to achieve their intended artistic vision. Young video producers used feedback in the following ways: incorporated feedback directly into their work, rejected and ignored feedback, or incorporated some element of the feedback in a way not originally intended. Originality/value This paper demonstrates how teaching the discourse of critique can be used to eliminate barriers for young people in gaining new media literacy skills. Educators can teach argumentation and inquiry strategies through using thinking guides that encourage active processing and through engaging near peer mentors. Classroom educators can integrate the arts-based practice of the pitch critique session to maximize the impact of peer-to-peer learning.


2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 51-69
Author(s):  
Michelle Y. Alvarez

The purpose of this study is to determine the demographic profiles of the respondents which are the teachers in Mindanao State University–Sulu according to gender and college, to identify the issues encountered by the MSU-Sulu Teacher towards modular distance learning approach, to distinguish the concerns of the MSU-Sulu Teacher towards modular distance learning approach, to investigate the teaching preparations on the adaptation of modular distance learning approach, and to identify the significant difference of issues and concern of the MSU-Sulu Teacher towards modular distance learning approach when they are grouped according gender and college. Frequency and percentage distribution, weighted arithmetic mean and independent t-test and chi-square are the statistical tools used to answer the entire research question. The data gathered was computed using SPSS analyzed and interpreted with the aide of the statistician. Descriptive survey method was used as the research method. This study utilizes 40 teachers from different colleges/department. Convenience sampling was used to It is the recommended number of which it is the 30% from the total population of all the faculty of Mindanao State University-Sulu.; questionnaire is used by the researcher as a research instrument of the study. The findings of the study were: 1) There is no significant difference of issues and concern of the MSU-Sulu teacher towards modular distance learning approach when grouped according gender but in contrary; and 2) There is significant difference on the issues and concern among MSU-Sulu teacher towards modular distance learning approach when grouped according colleges. The issues encountered towards modular distance learning approach were communication failure like that of instructions or confusion of students on the modules, limited teacher guidance, student’s in discourteous approach to teachers, complaints on not understanding the module, and all of which results to misbehavior on students and failure to pass worksheet on time. In addition, the concerns of the MSU-Sulu teacher towards modular distance learning approach were; first, hidden expenses on modules; second, teacher’s lack of media literacy; third, poor internet connection which intercepts communication between teacher and students; fourth, time constraint among teachers due to overload paperwork; fifth, equipment problem and complexity of the discussion as well as measurement of student’s performance; sixth,  managing student’s responses from time to time; seventh, teacher’s unavailability  and lastly, difficulties of studying among slow learners. Moreover, on teaching preparations on the adaptation of modular distance learning approach, the issues were cater and set time for student’s inquiries and be flexible to allow extension in terms of passing worksheets as well as allow parents, relative or even friends to pass worksheets in their behalf to lessen transportation expenses. Teachers must appreciate/ recognize his/her students to boost their confidence and avoid favouritism while being considerate to students who are attention seeker or may have ADHD. Correspondingly, the concerns were. Teachers must encourage handwritten answers to lessen plagiarism, on the absence of teacher, the parents and elders must guide the students in their learning at home. Teacher and parent’s guidance must go hand and hand in today’s learning. Teachers must likewise be flexible in finding solutions on printing shortage. And lastly, alternative teaching strategies like modular learning should be hone to aid lack of media literacy of both teacher and students In view of the findings and analysis, the following are recommended: Teachers must be flexible with the present kind of teaching strategy at all cost and at all aspects, Set guidelines as to establish proper communication among students and teachers, learning materials must be affordable as well as easy to understand content, teachers must develop their media literacy skills and encourage teachers to be available to their students on allotted time and cater all their inquiries with patience at all times. Furthermore, the following are the recommended research agenda: Teacher’s training on media literacy and module development programs to allow teamwork in the making process.


2018 ◽  
Vol 41 (5) ◽  
pp. 689-707
Author(s):  
Tanya Notley ◽  
Michael Dezuanni

Social media use has redefined the production, experience and consumption of news media. These changes have made verifying and trusting news content more complicated and this has led to a number of recent flashpoints for claims and counter-claims of ‘fake news’ at critical moments during elections, natural disasters and acts of terrorism. Concerns regarding the actual and potential social impact of fake news led us to carry out the first nationally representative survey of young Australians’ news practices and experiences. Our analysis finds that while social media is one of young people’s preferred sources of news, they are not confident about spotting fake news online and many rarely or never check the source of news stories. Our findings raise important questions regarding the need for news media literacy education – both in schools and in the home. Therefore, we consider the historical development of news media literacy education and critique the relevance of dominant frameworks and pedagogies currently in use. We find that news media has become neglected in media literacy education in Australia over the past three decades, and we propose that current media literacy frameworks and pedagogies in use need to be rethought for the digital age.


2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (4) ◽  
pp. 1238-1264
Author(s):  
Nora Theorin ◽  
Jesper Strömbäck

Over the last decade, issues related to immigration have become increasingly salient across Western democracies. This increasing salience has made it more important to understand people’s attitudes toward immigration, including the effects of media use on those attitudes. Differentiating between attitudes toward different types of immigration, attitudes toward immigration from different parts of the world, and perceptions of immigration’s impact, this article investigates the effects of media use on attitudes toward and perceptions of immigration in Sweden. Based on a three-year, three-wave panel study, it investigates the effects of media use on the individual level. Among other things, results show that there are limited effects of using traditional news media but more substantial effects on people’s immigration attitudes of using anti-immigration, right-wing alternative media and pro-immigration, left-wing alternative media. These findings imply that it is highly relevant to account for media use, especially alternative media use, when studying public attitudes toward immigration. Further, we find that variations in people’s immigration attitudes, to a high degree, depend on the type of immigration and on where migrants are coming from. This finding underlines the importance of measuring both of these aspects when the aim is understanding general attitudes toward immigration and/or key predictors behind immigration attitudes.


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