Don't Believe Everything You Read: An introduction to media literacy

Being media literate is the foundation of how we navigate the modern world. From news reports, to academic work, to one-on-one conversations, the interactions we have with any type of information require us to be able to analyze it thoroughly to determine if its source is reliable, what the intent behind it is, and how it is making you feel. 

Understanding misinformation and disinformation - and why they exist - is a necessary step to becoming media literate. 

Before we dive into learning about misinformation and disinformation, we must understand the difference between the two. 

Misinformation is the accidental spread of false information. For example, a family member of yours shares a photo of an earthquake they think is happening presently (because that’s what it says on the post), when in reality, the photo is from two years ago. That family member did not intend to mislead people, but by sharing it, they have spread misinformation. 

Disinformation is the intentional spread of false information. An example of this is a foreign government attempting to influence an election in a different country by creating misleading social media posts targeting a certain group of citizens by using false information to sway their vote. 

What do the signs look like? 

There are several signs to look out for when attempting to recognize false information online. Below are some of the most common ones:

1. A sense of urgency (e.g., something bad is happening and you must do a specific action to combat it) 

2. New accounts (e.g., an account has been posting a large amount about current events but has only been on that platform for two days) 

3. Lack of success when cross-checking (e.g., you try to cross-check an anxiety-inducing claim (for example, a new war has started between two small nations) but you cannot find any other sources that make the same claim) 

There are other elements that come up when we discuss media literacy. 

1. Conspiracy Theories

The first element is conspiracy theories. Depending on the situation, instances of conspiracy theories online can fall under either mis- or disinformation, meaning they can be accidentally amplified or intentionally spread. As for instances that fall under disinformation, those conspiracy theories originate deliberately by an individual or group.

Below are three examples of why an individual or group may intentionally spread conspiracy theories (or, general disinformation):

1. A foreign government attempting to influence another nation’s political atmosphere

2. A social media influencer wanting you to subscribe to certain ideas that would require payment to them or the purchase of a product they sell

3. A political actor aiming to discredit opponents to win an election

Remember, conspiracy theories do not necessarily have to be outrageous. Some have clever factors that make them more difficult to spot.

2. Importance of Media Literacy

The second element that needs to be discussed is how important media literacy is during times of chaos and high-stakes. Those who spread false information thrive in moments where stresses are high - elections, natural disasters, and times of international conflict. This is because people are more vulnerable during these times and often look to reassurances or answers to a confusing situation. 

Financial scammers use this same tactic to conduct phishing attacks, using urgent-sounding emails to get a user to take an action (usually, inputting their personal information somewhere that feeds back to the scammer). 

2. Distrust in instituations

The third element is how disinformation can cause distrust in institutions and how that can result in uncertainty or harm. There are two areas that can be expanded on, as they are incredibly important with regards to making sure society runs smoothly. Those two areas are education and public safety. 

When the public loses trust in educational institutions (either schools or higher education), educational systems may be at risk of a loss of trust in teachers/instructors and may see an overall decrease in the level of participation in educational institutions. 

As for public safety, lack of trust in those institutions may pose a more direct threat. While some individuals may lack trust due to personal experiences, the scenario that is relevant here is lack of trust due to false information, and particularly, false information seen online. An example is how conspiracy theories can cause investigative agencies to struggle with public trust and how that can make their job more difficult. If false information claiming that they should not be trusted is being spread, that can damage day-to-day operations, including investigations that are concerned with direct public safety and wellbeing, such as violent crime and terrorism. 

Decreased trust in institutions can be detrimental. It is incredibly important that as a cohesive society, we work with institutions to both hold them to account but also maintain a healthy level of trust when appropriate. 

While media literacy (or, the lack thereof) is an enormous issue to tackle, a lot can be done, and quite simply as well. 

The first way to combat the issue is education. This is the most impactful step that can be taken. There are (and should be) many different ways to achieve this goal. Two ways this can be addressed are through informal education, such as those facilitated by organizations focused on this issue, and by formal education, such as by mandatory media literacy training in schools. 

A positive development is that media literacy education in the United Kingdom’s school curriculum has become a prominent focus in recent policy discussions, with fuller implementation expected by 2028.

There needs to be a high standard and strong collaboration in how media literacy education is delivered to ensure that all students develop a robust understanding of the subject.

It is also the civic responsibility of individuals to help others by spreading media literacy awareness and tips. These are some steps that I recommend to ensure that you and the people in your circles are aware of what misinformation and disinformation look like: 

1. Take a minute before you react - taking a moment to react to information (even if it’s factual) will allow you to analyse what’s being presented in a more critical manner. 

2. Don’t amplify false information - you can call out mis- and disinformation by referring to it and sharing pointers as to why you believe it is false, but by simply “reposting” it, more harm than good may be done. 

3. Inform yourself on current affairs by using credible sources and fact-checking skills. This will allow you to be better equipped to recognize a false claim if you come across it, as you will already have a decent grasp on unfolding situations. 

With these steps taken by the general public, society can become better prepared to face false information, especially online, where it is extremely easy for false narratives to spread like wildfire. It takes effort to think deeply about every piece of information that you come across, but it is worth it.