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Image Credit: Evangeline Shaw, Unsplash |
As part of our continuing discussion of different types of literacy, this blog post addresses News Literacy in honor of the 5th Annual National News Literacy Week, January 22 – 26.
News literacy is critically analyzing and evaluating news sources, stories, and information. It involves developing the skills and knowledge necessary to be an informed news consumer. News literacy goes beyond simply being able to access information; it emphasizes the capacity to assess the credibility, reliability, and relevance of news content. Ashley (2022) provides the following definition:
News literacy is the critical evaluation of information content as well as the contexts where it is produced and consumed. We can think of news literacy as the set of knowledge, skills, and attitudes that a person brings to their personal consumption of information and to their understanding of the structure of the news media landscape.
Ashley’s book News Literacy and Democracy (2020) also links news literacy with democracy. He writes, “Democracy is ultimately about citizen participation in the organization of society. We are governed by elected representatives, and because representative government requires an informed citizenry, we need news that gives us an accurate picture of our environment. But the morass of information out in the world today poses a real threat to our ability to govern our societies” (p. 4). Ashley explains that we each have the power to be selective about the information we expose ourselves to, and this ability can shape our perceptions of reality, which in turn influences our behaviors and attitudes. Some people choose to tune out altogether. Indeed, the Digital News Report by Reuter indicates that social networks have become a primary news source for 18-24-year-olds (Eddy, 2022). The report further claims that only 26% of Americans trust news generally.
We have traveled far from the days of trusted news anchors such as Walter Cronkite, a CBS news anchor from 1962 to 1981, who was known as the most trusted man in America in the 1960s and 1970s. Instead of a few trusted sources of information, digital media have saturated daily life, making it difficult to distinguish legitimate information from biased, fake, and falsified news. Hornick (2024), writing for the News Literacy Center at Stony Brook University, indicates that: “New technologies to create and share information make it easy to create content that only appears authoritative and then to spread it virally. The conflict between speed and accuracy has been exacerbated by Digital Age demands for delivering information as fast as possible, but accelerating that process increases the chance it will be wrong” (para. 4). While nearly everyone can create and publish media with a laptop or smartphone, the responsibility to be accurate, truthful, and unbiased is not shared. The News Literacy Center provides news literacy lessons for college/university students, community groups, and K-12 students. The website references 18 other organizations concerned about news sites' quality and trustworthiness, including the Media Literacy Clearinghouse and the American Press Institute.
PBS Learning Media for Teachers houses several collections of lessons on news and media literacy. The lessons include videos, blog articles, student handouts, lesson plans, and tip sheets to help students identify, analyze, and investigate the news and information they get from online sources. These lessons are aimed at K-12 students. PBS Learning Media for Teachers and the News Literacy Center link news literacy and democracy.
Components of News Literacy
1. Critical Thinking
News literacy encourages individuals to approach information critically. This includes questioning the source, understanding the context, and evaluating the evidence from news stories.
2. Source Evaluation
Understanding where news comes from is crucial. News literacy involves assessing the credibility and reliability of news sources. Differentiating between reputable journalistic sources and unreliable sources is a fundamental skill.
3. Fact-Checking
Fact-checking is an integral part of news literacy. Individuals are encouraged to verify the accuracy of claims and information presented in news stories before accepting them as accurate.
4. Media Bias Awareness
Recognizing and understanding media bias is essential. News literacy helps individuals identify potential biases in news reporting and how they might influence the presentation of information.
5. Contextual Awareness
News stories often need to be understood within their broader context. News literacy involves considering the historical, cultural, and social context in which events are reported.
6. Digital Literacy
With the rise of digital media and online information, news literacy includes digital literacy skills. This involves understanding how information spreads on social media, recognizing online misinformation, and being aware of the potential for manipulation.
7. Diversity of Sources
News literacy emphasizes the importance of seeking information from diverse sources. Exposure to various perspectives helps individuals develop a more comprehensive understanding of issues.
8. Ethical Considerations
News literacy includes an awareness of journalistic ethics. This involves understanding the responsibilities of journalists, respecting the rights of individuals featured in news stories, and recognizing the importance of unbiased reporting.
9. Engagement and Participation
News literacy encourages active engagement with news and current events. This can include participating in discussions, sharing responsibly sourced information, and being an informed citizen.
Promoting news literacy is essential in a world where misinformation and disinformation can spread rapidly. By fostering these skills, individuals are better equipped to navigate the complex media landscape and make informed decisions about the information they encounter.
